Collin Binkley, Associated PressCollin Binkley, Associated Press
Will Weissert, Associated PressWill Weissert, Associated Press
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WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Melania Trump is denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein and knowledge of his sex crimes, saying Thursday that the "stories are completely false" and calling accusations that she was somehow involved "smears about me."
Watch the full statement in the video player above.
Reading an extraordinary statement at the White House, Melania Trump said she and her attorneys were fighting back against "unfound and baseless lies" in regards to her connections to the late financier, a convicted sex offender who leveraged connections to the rich, powerful and famous to recruit his victims and cover up his crimes.
READ MORE:Bondi won't appear for House deposition next week in the Epstein investigation
"The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today. 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," she said.
The extraordinary and seemingly out-of-the-blue message came as her husband, President Donald Trump, and his administration had finally seemed to move past more than a year of controversy surrounding Epstein, especially as the Iran war had become all-consuming in Washington. The first lady's comments almost assuredly served to push the story back into the political spotlight even as the president urged the public and media to move on from the case.
The White House account on X reshared a video of the event posted by the first lady's account, but without added comment.
READ MORE:A look at how the Epstein files dogged Pam Bondi's time as attorney general
Melania Trump also called on Congress to hold a public hearing centered on survivors of Epstein's crimes, with a chance to testify before lawmakers and have their stories entered into the congressional record.
"Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public if she wishes," she said. "Then, and only then, we will have the truth."
Democrats jumped on Melania Trump's comments, saying they agreed with her call for a congressional hearing. In a social media post, Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee that is investigating Epstein, called on the Republican chair of the committee, Rep. James Comer, to schedule a public hearing "immediately."
WATCH:DOJ releases Epstein files containing sexual assault allegations against Trump
