Melania Trump denies ‘false’ Jeffrey Epstein smears in public statement

US first lady Melania Trump has denied ties to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and called for survivors to be able to give evidence to Congress.

Mrs Trump made the remarks in a rare public statement at the White House and it was not immediately clear what prompted her to speak out about the issue now.

The Epstein scandal and controversy over the release of official documents has been a political headache for her husband Donald Trump, putting a spotlight on his past friendship with the late sex offender, which he has said ended decades ago.

Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan, New York, in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled as a suicide.

His accomplice, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, is currently serving a 20-year jail sentence in the US for luring young girls for him to sexually abuse.

Mrs Trump’s statement on Thursday had been listed on the official White House schedule, but no indication had been given of its content.

She said: “The lies linking me to the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today.

“The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect.”

She added: “I (have) never been friends with Epstein. 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.

“To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell.

“My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorised as anything more than casual correspondence.

“My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note.”

She made clear she was not “Epstein’s victim” and said, contrary to some rumours, he did not introduce her to her now husband, who she met at a New York City party in 1998.

Mrs Trump said: “The first time I crossed paths with Epstein was in the year 2000 at an event Donald and I attended together.

“At the time, I had never met Epstein and had no knowledge of his criminal undertakings.

“Numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been circulating on social media for years now.”

Branding them “completely false” and warning people to be cautious about what they believe, she went on: “I’m not a witness or a named witness in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes.

“My name has never appeared in court documents, depositions, victim statements or FBI interviews surrounding the Epstein matter.

“I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims. I was never involved in any capacity.

“I was not a participant. I was never on Epstein’s plane and never visited his private island.

“I have never been legally accused or convicted of a crime in connection with Epstein, sex trafficking, abuse of minors and other repulsive behaviour.

“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.”

Through her lawyers Mrs Trump said she had “fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success”, and vowed to continue to do so.

Mrs Trump went on: “Now is the time for Congress to act. Epstein was not alone. Several prominent male executives resigned from their powerful positions after this matter became widely politicised.

“Of course, this doesn’t amount to guilt, but we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth.

“I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimised by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centred around the survivors.

“Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress with the power of sworn testimony. 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.”

Democrats in Washington have seized on her comments and backed her call for a congressional hearing.

In a social media post, congressman Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee that is investigating Epstein, called on its Republican chairman to schedule a public hearing “immediately”.

The scandal has had far-reaching consequences in the UK.

The former prince, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was stripped of his titles by the King, and Lord Peter Mandelson was fired as UK ambassador to the US.

Both were arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office over their connections with Epstein.

They have since been released under investigation.

It also threatens to cast a shadow over the upcoming state visit by the King to the US, with Charles asked to meet with survivors during his trip.

There have also been continuing calls for his brother to give evidence to Congress.