Melania Trump: Lies About Epstein Links Need to End

"The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today," Melania Trump said Thursday. The first lady, speaking to reporters at the White House, said she is "not Epstein's victim" and insisted that "Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump." She said she first "crossed paths" with Epstein at a 2000 event she attended with Trump, and that she had no awareness then "of his criminal undertakings," CNBC reports. "I have never been friends with Epstein," she said, per CNN. "Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time, since overlapping in social circles is common in New York City and Palm Beach."

• "Fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been circulating on social media for years now," she said. "Be cautious about what you believe: These images and stories are completely false."

She said she was never involved with Epstein "in any capacity" and is "not a witness or a named witness" in connection with any of the sex offender's crimes. Her name, she added, has not appeared in court filings, victim accounts, or FBI interviews connected to the Epstein investigation. She said an email reply she sent to Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell was only "casual correspondence," the AP reports. "My polite reply to her email doesn't amount to anything more than a trifle," the first lady said.

The first lady also urged Congress to hold a "public hearing specifically centered around the survivors, give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress with the power of sworn testimony." CNN reports. "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." It's not clear why the first lady, who said she wanted to clear her "good name," chose today to speak out, the New York Times reports.