In a surprising twist, First Lady Melania Trump has declared that she is not among the victims of notorious pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, prompting a strong response from those who have suffered at his hands.

Epstein’s victims issued a collective statement criticizing the First Lady for allegedly redirecting focus from their trauma and shielding influential figures. This reaction came after Melania urged Congress to organize hearings featuring the victims’ testimonies.

The statement, endorsed by 15 women who have accused Epstein of sex trafficking, emphasized, “Survivors have already displayed remarkable bravery by stepping forward, submitting reports, and testifying.”

They further expressed that asking for additional testimonies now seems more like avoiding accountability than seeking justice.

The group also accused Melania Trump of placing undue pressure on survivors in a political arena that appears to safeguard powerful entities, including the Department of Justice, law enforcement, prosecutors, and the Trump Administration. They highlighted ongoing non-compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

This legislation mandates the Trump Administration to release all documents pertaining to Epstein’s criminal activities.

In addition, they claimed the attention was a distraction from pressuring officials who are being subpoenaed to testify on their role in releasing the files.  

‘It also diverts attention from Pam Bondi, who must answer for withheld files and the exposure of survivors’ identities,’ the victims said of the ousted Attorney General. ‘Those failures continue to put lives at risk while shielding enablers.’

‘Survivors have done their part,’ they concluded. ‘Now, it’s time for those in power to do theirs.’ 

Melania Trump denied rumors on Thursday that she was a victim of Jeffrey Epstein’s 

Epstein’s victims (pictured in February) argued they have already done their part, after Melania called on Congress to hold hearings with the victims

The victims called out ousted Attorney General Pam Bondi for withholding documents related to Epstein’s case and exposing some of the victims’ identitities

It remains unclear why the First Lady decided to publicly deny any connection with Epstein on Thursday, as there have not been any recent revelations or reporting linking them.

Still, she told reporters from the Cross Hall of the White House: ‘I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998.’

Trump and Melania met in 1998 at the Kit Kat Klub in New York when she was 28 years old. Paolo Zampolli, a modeling agency boss who is serving as Trump’s special envoy for global partnerships, claims he introduced the couple who married in 2005. 

Melania also said in her address that she has ‘never been friends with Epstein’ and denied any intimacy with Ghislaine Maxwell after an email to the British socialite appeared in the files released by the Justice Department. 

She said she first met the financier in 2000 and was unaware of any allegations against him; as it was five years that he was publicly accused of sex trafficking.

The First Lady then said she had seen ‘fake images and statements’ linking her to Epstein on social media for years, and urged viewers to ‘be cautious about what you believe.’ 

‘These images and stories are completely false. I’m not a witness or unnamed witness in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes,’ she said.

‘The false smears about me from mean-spirited and politically motivated individuals and entities looking to cause damage to my good name to gain financially and climb politically must stop,’ the First Lady continued.

‘My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success, and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.’

Donald and Melania Trump with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at  Mar-a-Lago in February 2000. Melania said she first met Epstein that year

Trump and the financier chatting to Belgian supermodel Ingrid Seynhaeve at a Victoria’s Secret party at Manhattan’s Laura Belle club in April 1997

Melania went on to call for justice in the Epstein case, noting that he did not work alone and that several prominent male executives had resigned as the scandal grew increasingly politicized.

That did not amount to guilt, she said, but added, ‘we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth.’

Melania also addressed an email she sent Maxwell that was uncovered in the Epstein files in January, insisting her reply was merely polite and did not indicate a close relationship. 

‘My email reply to Maxwell cannot be characterized as anything more than casual correspondence. My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note,’ Melania said. 

Buried in the tranche of more than three million Epstein Files is an email signed ‘Love, Melania’ that appears to be addressed to Maxwell. 

The names of the sender and recipient are redacted in the October 23, 2002 email. 

The message begins: ‘Dear G! How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture.’

That week, New York Magazine ran a now-infamous story headlined: ‘Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery.’

The article featured a full-page color illustration of Epstein grinning alongside Bill Clinton in front of his private jet, as the actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker board the aircraft.

Melania seemed nervous throughout her address on Thursday, after which she declined to take any questions

The piece included a photo of Maxwell with Epstein at a black-tie event, as well as a photo of Donald Trump and the financier chatting to Belgian supermodel Ingrid Seynhaeve at a Victoria’s Secret party.

The email 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!’

The First Lady seemed visibly nervous throughout her address on Thursday, trembling and looking down at her notes rather than into the camera. She took no questions before walking away from the podium.

But Marc Beckman, Exclusive Senior Advisor to First Lady Melania Trump, later told the Daily Mail: ‘First Lady Melania Trump spoke out now because enough is enough. The lies must stop.

‘It is time for the public and media to focus on her incredible achievements as First Lady, the lives she has positively impacted, and her commitment to our nation.’

Epstein was found hanged in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, and Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in the conspiracy.