Fox News senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich has the latest on the first lady's address on 'The Story.'
Reactions poured in Thursday after first lady Melania Trump issued a rare on-camera statement forcefully rebuking allegations linking her to disgraced financier and convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking earlier in the day, Melania Trump said she was never friends with Epstein or his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, and stressed that neither played any role in her introduction to her husband, PresidentDonald Trump.
"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. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather, I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation."
As she emphasized that her name never appeared in court documents related to Epstein, several political figures quickly took to social media to publicly rally in support of the first lady.
MELANIA TRUMP DENOUNCES 'LIES' CONNECTING HER WITH DISGRACED FINANCIER JEFFREY EPSTEIN IN WHITE HOUSE EVENT
First lady Melania Trump speaks to reporters Thursday, April 9, 2026, in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., a leading congressional voice calling for the release of the Epstein files, praised Melania on X with a photo saying, "Melania Trumpstands with Epstein victims."
She also applauded Melania for championing legislation that criminalizes the sharing of fake intimate images of women.
"Thank you to our First Lady for being a voice for victims across the country. From her work on the Take It Down Act to publicly standing for the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and calling for action and the truth," she said.
"The truth will prevail. America is strong when strong women stand up for what is right."
VOGUE’S ANNA WINTOUR TAKES SWIPE AT MELANIA TRUMP’S STYLE WHILE PRAISING LIBERAL FAVORITES
Rep. Nancy Mace speaks on July 22 at a House Oversight Committee hearing,(Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has pushed for the release of documents through the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which he co-authored with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., addressed Melania’s effort to bring survivors in for congressional testimony and said leadership should face consequences over their handling of the files, including recently ousted Attorney GeneralPam Bondi.
"First Lady asks Congress to bring Epstein survivors in for testimony. With all due respect, that’s @DAGToddBlanche’s job!," he said.
