During a meeting at the White House, Melania Trump addressed a reporter who attempted to question her about Ghislaine Maxwell, a known associate of Jeffrey Epstein. The First Lady was hosting American-Israeli Keith Siegel and his wife Aviva, marking a year since she had advocated for his release from captivity. In a rare occurrence, the press was granted access to the room at the end of their meeting to listen to remarks from Melania and the Siegels. As the session concluded, a reporter managed to ask Melania about the ongoing discussions regarding Maxwell’s transfer to a high-security prison following the release of Epstein-related documents by the Justice Department.

Melania, however, remained unfazed by the question, skillfully redirecting the focus back to the Siegels. “We are here celebrating the release and the life of these two incredible people,” she responded. “So let’s honor that, thank you.” The release of over 3 million Epstein files included an email addressed to Maxwell, signed “Love Melania.” The Trumps, Maxwell, and Epstein were known to have mingled in similar social circles from Manhattan to Mar-a-Lago during the 1990s and early 2000s. While their paths once aligned, Melania and Maxwell’s lives diverged significantly. Melania married Donald Trump, had a child, and became the First Lady, while Maxwell remains the only individual currently imprisoned for Epstein’s crimes.

Melania was determined to maintain the focus of her meeting with Keith and Aviva, dismissing unrelated questions, including one concerning the promotion of her new film, “Melania: Twenty Days to History.” “It is nothing to do with promotion,” she clarified. Aviva Siegel appeared in the film, which highlights her efforts with Melania to secure her husband’s release and that of other Israeli hostages. Keith expressed gratitude for their story being featured in the film, which debuted in theaters nationwide on Friday. An email from the Epstein files, dated 2002 and signed by “Melania,” begins with a casual greeting to Maxwell, reading: “Dear G! How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great in the picture.” That week, New York Magazine published a notable article titled “Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery.”

The article featured a colored full-page caricature-like illustration of Epstein grinning alongside former President Bill Clinton in front of his private jet, as similarly animated versions of actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker were drawn boarding the aircraft behind them. The email signed ‘Melania’ continues: ‘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. Have a great time!’ Trump maintains that he broke off ties with Epstein in 2007 when he kicked him out of his Mar-a-Lago club for being ‘a creep.’ Documents released by the DOJ on Friday show that a writer identified as ‘G. Max’ replied to the 2002 ‘Love Melania’ email with: ‘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,’ it went on. The author of the message signed off with her initial and a kiss: ‘Keep well. Gx.’ Now, more than two decades later, Melania is the most elusive first lady at least in recent US history. She rarely does public events, doesn’t often take questions from the press and isn’t seen beside President Trump as much as she was in the first term. Her focus as first lady has been on humanitarian causes – especially as it relates to children.

She previewed for reporters on Wednesday that she is working on getting Russian President Vladimir Putin to release more Ukrainian children. ‘We are in the process. So I hope we have success very soon. I will keep you posted,’ the Slovenian-born former model vowed.