US First Lady Melania Trump has condemned what she described as false claims about her and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and denied she had any knowledge of his crimes.
“I am not Epstein’s victim,” she said in a rare public statement read to media at the White House.
“Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump.”
“I never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims.
“I was never involved in any capacity – I was not a participant, was never on Epstein’s plane and never visited his private island.”
The first lady also described an email she sent to Epstein’s accomplice and ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell in 2002 as an “informal correspondence.”
US President Donald Trump had a social and professional relationship with the convicted pedophile and disgraced financier, but says he ended it before his death in 2019.
Melania Trump demanded that the “lies” tying her to Epstein must end today.
“The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethics, humility and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their petty attempts to smear my reputation.”
She ended her statement by saying Epstein did not act alone and urged the US Congress to hold hearings that focused on the survivors of his abuse.
“Epstein was not alone. Several prominent male executives resigned from their powerful positions after this issue became widely politicized. This obviously does not amount to guilt, but we must still work openly and transparently to uncover the truth.
“Every woman should have the opportunity to tell her story publicly if she wants to,” she said. “Then, and only then, will we know the truth.”
NEVER MISS A STORY: Be the first to receive your latest news and exclusive stories by following us on all platforms.