First lady Melania Trump surprised the Washington press pool Thursday when she made public comments about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Her remarks denying she was “friends” with the late financier left many wondering why she chose to speak out.
A group of Epstein survivors said they believe the first lady made her bombshell remarks in an effort to shift attention away from Epstein’s alleged “enablers” in the Trump administration, who have not released all of the files tied to his crimes.
Speaking from the White House on April 9, the first lady slammed reports claiming she once dated Epstein and later met her husband through him.
“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 said she’s “never been friends” with Epstein, and was simply invited to some of the same parties he attended on the New York and Florida social circuits.
“To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice [Ghislaine] Maxwell,” she continued. “I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998.”
The first lady said her name is being tarnished by people seeking money and fame.
“The false smears about me from mean-spirited and politically motivated individuals and entities looking to cause damage to my good name, to gain financially, and climb politically must stop,” she continued, before calling on Congress to hold a “public hearing specifically centered around the survivors.”
A short time after she spoke on live television, a group of 15 Epstein survivors released a statement accusing the first lady of trying to change the narrative surrounding Epstein.
“Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have already shown extraordinary courage by coming forward, filing reports and giving testimony. Asking more of them now is a deflection of responsibility, not justice,” the statement read.
The survivors mentioned former Attorney General Pam Bondi and bashed the Trump administration for allegedly “shielding” Epstein’s “enablers.” They also seemingly accused the first lady of a publicity stunt.
“First Lady Melania Trump is now shifting the burden onto survivors under politicized conditions that protect those in power: the Department of Justice, Law enforcement, prosecutors and the Trump Administration, which has still not fully complied with the Epstein Files Transparency act,” the survivors said.
Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta posted their statement in its entirety on social media. You can read it below:
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