Melania Trump, the First Lady of the United States, addressed the country from the White House with a special speech regarding the issue of her name being linked with Epstein.
Medianews.az presents the full text of Melania Trump's speech delivered on the evening of April 9, Washington time, for the readers' attention.
"Good evening.
Today, the lies connecting me to the disgraced Jeffrey Epstein must end.
Those who spread these lies about me have neither ethics, sincerity, nor respect.
I do not protest their ignorance, but I firmly reject the malicious attempts they make to damage my reputation.
I have never been friends with Epstein.
Donald and I were sometimes invited to the same gatherings as Epstein, but overlap in social circles in New York and Palm Beach is common.
I unequivocally state that I have had no relationship with Epstein or his partner Maxwell.
The reply I sent to Maxwell by email can only be regarded as an ordinary correspondence. That polite reply of mine is just a note without any significance.
I am not a victim of Epstein.
Donald Trump did not introduce me to Epstein.
I met my future spouse by chance at a gathering in New York in 1998. I have described this first meeting in detail in my book "Melania".
I first encountered Epstein in 2000 at an event attended together with Donald.
At that time, I did not know him and had no information about his criminal activities.
For years, numerous fake photos and information about my connection with Epstein have been spreading on social media.
Be careful what you believe.
Those pictures and stories are outright lies.
I have witnessed no crime related to Epstein. I am not among the people summoned as witnesses in investigations of those crimes.
My name has never appeared in court documents, testimonies, victim statements, or Federal Bureau of Investigation releases related to this case.
I have never been aware of Epstein's violence against his victims.
I have never been involved in this matter in any way. I have never flown on his plane nor have I ever been to his island.
I have never been officially charged in connection with the crimes Epstein committed — human trafficking, abuse of minors, or any other vile acts — and I have never been tried in this case.
The lies spread by hostile individuals or political groups to tarnish my name and profit from it financially or politically must end.
Together with my lawyers, I have successfully fought against these baseless fabrications and will continue to defend my reputation without hesitation.
Until today, several persons and companies, including the "Daily Beast" publication, Democratic Party member James Carville, and "HarperCollins UK" publishing house, have been compelled to apologize in court and retract the lies they told about me.
Now it is time for Congress to take action.
Epstein was not alone.
After this matter became widely political, several prominent men resigned from their leadership positions. Of course, this does not yet prove they are guilty, but we must still work openly and transparently to uncover the truth.
I call on Congress to organize open hearings to learn what happened to the women harmed by Epstein, especially the survivors.
Allow the surviving victims to testify under oath before Congress.
Let any woman who wishes to publicly share her experiences do so, and ensure their testimonies are preserved forever in the archives of Congress.
Only then will we be able to know what the truth really is."
Medianews.az reminds that Jeffrey Epstein (1953-2019) was an American financier and investor, but his name became more widely known worldwide in connection with controversial criminal cases concerning the sexual abuse of underage girls.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Epstein worked in the United States as an investment advisor and amassed great wealth by working with wealthy clients. Among Epstein's clients and associates were politicians, businessmen, and other celebrities.
In 2005, Epstein was investigated in Florida for allegations of sexual abuse of underage girls. In 2008, he reached a controversial agreement with prosecutors, avoiding more severe federal charges and serving 13 months in jail. This agreement sparked significant public outrage in the U.S.
In July 2019, he was arrested again in New York. Epstein faced federal charges related to human trafficking and the sexual abuse of underage girls. On August 10, 2019, his body was found in the Manhattan jail where he was held. According to official reports, he died by suicide. However, the circumstances of his death and prison oversight raised many questions and conspiracy theories, triggering public debates.
In January 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of documents, numerous photos, and video materials known as the "Epstein Files." The "Epstein Files" caused political and public resonance, especially involving names of high-profile individuals in the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
Investigation materials and court documents related to Epstein's activities and connections are still being released in stages, and discussions about the full scope of the case continue.