April 10, (THEWILL) — U.S First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday rejected allegations linking her to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and called on the United States Congress to hold public hearings where victims can give sworn testimony.
In a statement, Mrs. Trump dismissed the allegations as “lies” and “smears,” insisting that attempts to associate her with Epstein were politically motivated and intended to damage her public image.
She also urged lawmakers to prioritize the voices of survivors, calling for a structured congressional platform where victims of Epstein’s abuse can testify publicly under oath.
The First Lady denied any personal or professional relationship with Epstein or his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, stating that she had never been involved in any capacity with either individual.
She further insisted she had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities and described his actions as “repulsive” and entirely unacceptable.
“I have never had any knowledge of his abuse of victims. I was never involved in any capacity. I was not a participant. I was never on Epstein’s plane, and never visited his private island,” she said.
Mrs. Trump also addressed a previously reported 2002 email exchange between herself and Maxwell, describing it as a “casual and polite reply,” and rejecting suggestions that it indicated any deeper relationship or involvement.
Beyond her denial of the allegations, the First Lady made a direct appeal to Congress to establish public hearings dedicated to Epstein’s survivors, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
“I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors.
Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress,” she stated, adding that survivors should be allowed to speak publicly if they wish, and that their testimonies should be formally entered into the congressional record.
Her remarks triggered immediate responses across party lines, with several lawmakers expressing support for the proposal of survivor-focused hearings.
Members of the House Oversight Committee described the idea as a necessary step toward giving victims a formal and dignified platform.
Democratic lawmakers welcomed the First Lady’s intervention and urged congressional leadership to act swiftly, while some Republican members also expressed openness to the proposal, signaling rare bipartisan alignment on the issue.
However, other legislators emphasized that any criminal prosecutions or further legal actions remain within the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice, rather than Congress, underscoring ongoing debate over the proper institutional response.
Victims’ advocacy groups cautiously welcomed the renewed attention but stressed that any hearings must be carefully managed to protect survivors from retraumatization while ensuring accountability.
Mrs. Trump has largely maintained a low public profile in recent months, focusing on initiatives related to child online safety, artificial intelligence regulation, and protections against digital exploitation such as deepfakes and revenge pornography.
Her office said the statement was aimed at correcting what she described as longstanding misinformation regarding her past social associations.
She reiterated that she has consistently denied involvement in Epstein-related activities and has taken legal steps against publications and individuals who made such claims.
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