Donald Trump breaks silence on Melania’s Epstein claims: ‘I did not know’

Donald Trump has responded to his wife Melania Trump’s bombshell statement concerning the Epstein Files and her connection to the late sex offender and billionaire Jeffrey Epstein. The First Lady unexpectedly delivered an address on live TV on Thursday, April 9, denouncing those who claimed she had been introduced to her husband through Jeffrey and that she shared a close friendship with him.

Following the address, Donald admitted to MS Now that he “did not know” about Melania’s statement, and that the former model “didn’t know [Jeffrey]”. The Epstein Files are a body of documents that detail the criminal activities of Jeffrey, a powerful financier who ran a sex trafficking ring and was reportedly friends with high-profile people, including celebrities and politicians. 

He died in prison in August 2019 after serving just over a month of his sentence. The Department of Justice has been releasing portions of the files incrementally. In Melania’s speech on Thursday, the mother of one directly addressed an email sent to Jeffrey’s accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, claiming that it was “casual correspondence”.

The email, which was sent on October 23, 2002, from someone named “Melania”, reads: “Dear GI [Ghislaine], How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on [sic] the picture. I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach?”

“I cannot wait to go down,” she added. “Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time! Love, Melania.”

A response from a user named “G. Max” came on January 1, 2003. “Sweet pea – thanks for your message. Actually plans changed again and I am now on my way back to NY,” it read. “I leave again on Fri so I still do not think I have time to see you sadly. I will try and call though. Keep well.”

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Melania’s fiery speech saw her deny any close connection with Jeffrey and Ghislaine. “The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she declared. “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.”

“Numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been circulating on social media for years now,” she continued. “Be cautious about what you believe. These images and stories are completely false.”

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Melania added that she was “never” friends with Jeffrey, and that she and Donald were invited to his parties “from time to time” due to their shared social circles. The 55-year-old refuted the rumor that Jeffrey had introduced Melania to Donald, and explained that she actually met her husband two years before meeting the financier. 

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“To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell,” she said. “My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence. My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note.”

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Many questioned the timing of Melania’s address, as the most recent release of documents in the Epstein files by the DOJ occurred in January 2026. Marc Beckman, who is one of Melania’s senior advisers, told the New York Post that she “spoke out now because enough is enough”.

“The lies must stop,” he added. “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.” A spokesperson for Melania also told The New York Times that the “president was aware that his wife was going to make a statement”.