Melania Trump Addresses Epstein Allegations in Rare Public Statement: ‘The Lies Need to End Today’

US First Lady Melania Trump made a surprise statement on Thursday denying any knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, or that she herself was a victim of the convicted sex offender.

The 55-year-old’s rare on-camera remarks at the White House came out of the blue, in an extraordinary intervention in a scandal that has long haunted her husband, President Donald Trump.

The Statement

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she said. “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect.”

She did not detail any specific allegations, but addressed key points:

• “I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump.”

• “I have 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.”

• “I have never been legally accused or convicted of a crime in connection with Epstein sex trafficking.”

The Context

Melania and Donald Trump had previously been photographed with Epstein, but she said she met her husband independently two years prior to meeting Epstein.

One widely-seen picture in the released files showed Donald and Melania Trump at their Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, along with Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.

The Accusers’ Response

Two of Epstein’s accusers, sisters Maria and Annie Farmer , reacted to the first lady’s comments, telling US media: “We can’t speak for other survivors, but what we want is accountability, transparency and justice.”

They also called for the release of “the remaining records held by the Department of Justiceincluding my complete FBI records from 1996.”

The Timing

Speculation ran riot on social media about why the first lady had decided to put the Epstein scandal back in the headlines after weeks of relative quiet.

It comes just two days after her husband announced a ceasefire in the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The Bottom Line

“The lies need to end today,” Melania Trump said.

She denies everything. She was never on the plane. Never visited the island. Never knew of the abuse.

The accusers want accountability and transparency. The first lady wants the speculation to stop.

But the Epstein scandal is far from over.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com