Earlier this year, Melania Trump made headlines in Washington when she publicly distanced herself from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a speech delivered in April, she declared that any claims linking her to Epstein “need to end today.” At the time, the motivation behind her statement was unclear.
President Donald Trump mentioned that he was “unaware” of what his wife planned to say, although he was informed she would be making a statement.
Fox News White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich remarked, “It came out of left field for us.”
After several months, the First Lady’s senior advisor has shed light on the reason behind her speech.
“It was about going on the record to talk about the fact that she wasn’t connected with, is not connected with, Jeffrey Epstein at all,” Marc Beckman, senior advisor to the First Lady, explained to Politico.
He further noted that Melania wanted to “be a champion and a leader for the victims.”
He concluded by saying, “And then finally she called on Congress to give the victims the ability to go on the congressional record, sit in front of Congress if they want, and go on the record.”
Melania, who denied any relationship with Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell, also clarified that she did not meet her husband, President Trump, through Epstein. She stated that they met “by chance” at a New York City party in 1998.
Melania mentioned that she first “crossed paths” with Epstein in 2000 and had “never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims.” She noted that she was “invited to the same parties from time to time,” and commented that “overlapping in social circles is common in New York City and Palm Beach.”
“I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims,” she reiterated in her speech. “I was never involved in any capacity. I was not a participant.”
Addressing the “fake” images circulating on the internet of herself with Epstein, Melania cautioned people to “be cautious about what you believe.”
In her statement, she urged, “Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress, with the power of sworn testimony. Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public.”
Following her speech, more than a dozen Epstein survivors released a joint letter, urging for the complete disclosure of the remaining Epstein files.
“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 letter stated, criticizing Melania for “shifting the burden” onto survivors rather than the Justice Department and diverting attention from Pam Bondi.
The survivors emphasized that former US Attorney General Pam Bondi should “answer for withheld files and the exposure of survivors’ identities.”
Neither the President nor the First Lady has faced any criminal allegations related to Epstein.