"The lies that connect me to Jeffrey Epstein they have to stop today," she said the first lady of the United States of America, Melania Trump, "I never had any knowledge of the abuse of the victims. I was never involved in any way. I was not a participant. I was never on Epstein's plane, nor did I visit his private island."
In an unexpected public address, Melania Trump again drew attention to a topic that has started to fade in the media space in recent weeks. President of the United States of America Donald tramp and his closest associates have repeatedly tried to relativize the importance of the Epstein files, saying that the public should turn to other issues and leave the affair behind. The current war in Iran has helped push the "Epstein case" aside.
"I was never friends with Epstein. Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time, because the overlap in social circles is common in New York and Palm Beach," Melania Trump continued to justify herself. "To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his associate Gillian Maxwell."
Documents from the criminal proceedings against Jeffrey Epstein revealed an extensive network of his contacts with influential people in the world of politics, finance and business. Those relationships existed both before and after 2008, when he pleaded guilty to charges of organizing prostitution, including the exploitation of underage girls.
Epstein was found dead in a Manhattan jail in 2019, but documents and testimony that have since been released have continued to shed light on his social circle and raise questions about the role of certain influential people who were part of it.
Photo: Uma Sanghvi/The Palm Beach Post via AP, FileJeffrey Epstein on trial
"Epstein didn't introduce me to Donald"
Melania Trump emphasized that she was not Epstein's victim and added that she first met him in 2000 at an event they both attended.
"Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a party in New York in 1998. This first meeting is documented in my book 'Melania,'" she said.
"At that time, I did not know Epstein and had no knowledge of his criminal activities. For years, false pictures and statements about him and me have been spreading on social networks. Be careful what you believe. Those pictures and stories are completely false," the first lady pointed out.
Correspondence
Melania Trump also tried to downplay her communication with Gillian Maxwell, Epstein's associate convicted of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
CNN asked the first lady's office in February about a friendly email exchange between the two in 2002, but did not receive a response at the time. In that email, Melania signed the message with "Love, Melania," while Maxwell addressed her by beating her.
In her statement, Melania Trump described that email as an "informal and polite exchange", and the current handling of the topic as "malicious and politically motivated".
Photo: AP Photo/Evan VucciDonald Trump and Melania Trump
Call to Congress
Melania Trump has publicly asked Congress to speak up.
"I'm calling on Congress to grant the women who were victims of Epstein a public hearing, to give them the opportunity to testify under oath," she said. "Every woman should have her day to tell her story publicly, if she wants to, and her testimony should be permanently part of the congressional record."
Real journalism costs money, and we will not be bought by tycoons and corporations. Support us with a one-time or monthly donation. The time for it is now!
