The first lady denied that Epstein introduced her to President Donald Trump.
While it is not immediately clear what prompted first lady Melania Trump’s remarks about Jeffrey Epstein Thursday afternoon, she has previously been aggressive in pushing back on reports and allegations linking her to the late sex offender and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Melania Trump categorically denied the allegation that Epstein introduced her to President Donald Trump and said that she had no knowledge of Epstein and Maxwell’s crimes.
In her remarks, the first lady said "the lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today" and called for public hearings into the Epstein controversy and to allow survivors to testify before Congress.
Here is what we know about Melania Trump’s limited connections to Epstein and Maxwell:
Maxwell and Melania Trump exchanged emails in 2002
In one email released by the Department of Justice earlier this year, Melania Trump appeared to compliment Maxwell about a story in New York Magazine profiling Epstein.
“Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture. I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY,” Melania appeared to write, signing the email, “Love, Melania.”
The sender of the email was redacted in the files released by the Department of Justice, though Melania appeared to address the exchange during her remarks on Thursday.
"My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence,” Melania Trump said. “My polite reply to her email doesn't amount to anything more than a [trivial] note.”
In that October 2002 story, Trump was quoted as saying that Epstein is a “terrific guy” and that he has known him for 15 years.
“He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life,” Trump is quoted in the article.
In a later email, Maxwell appeared to address Melania as “Sweet Pea” and apologized for changing plans and no longer being able to see her.
“Sweet pea - thanks for your message. Actually plans changed again and I am now on my way back to NY. I leave again on Fri so I still do not think I have time to see you sadly. I will try and call though,” she wrote.
Attorneys for Melania Trump say reporting on her alleged ties to Epstein is defamatory
