Melania Trump denies all but ‘casual’ ties to Epstein and...

First lady Melania Trump denied any ties to convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell on Thursday in what one White House official characterized to MS NOW as unexpected remarks. “I have never been friends with Epstein,” the first lady said in a statement released on video, adding that she and President Donald Trump attended the same parties as Epstein “from time to time, since overlapping in social circles is common in New York City and Palm Beach.” She also called on Congress to facilitate a public hearing for the survivors, adding, “Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public, if she wishes, and then her testimony should be permanently entered into the Congressional Record. Then, and only then, will we have the truth.” The impetus for her remarks was unclear. The first lady has not been accused or convicted of wrongdoing in relation to Epstein or Maxwell. Spokespeople for the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from MS NOW on the statement. A White House official normally involved in external communications who was not authorized to speak publicly told MS NOW that many White House staffers were caught off guard by the first lady’s statement. The first lady addressed a 2002 email she sent Maxwell, which appears in the Epstein files, in which she praised a New York Magazine story about Epstein, complimented an accompanying photo of Maxwell, and urged her to call her when she returned to New York, before signing off, “love, Melania.” Trump said her email “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,” she added. Trump also appeared to shoot down unverified rumors she said have circulated online, stating, “I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump.” This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Jake Traylor contributed reporting.