Trump on Melania’s Epstein Speech: ‘Caught Off Guard’

In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump stated he was unaware of First Lady Melania Trump’s plans to address her alleged connection to Jeffrey Epstein. Melania made a rare public statement from the White House briefing room on Thursday, April 9, 2026, aiming to set the record straight.

Trump’s Claim of Surprise

Journalist Jacqueline Alemany reported that Trump told her he had no prior knowledge of his wife’s planned remarks. He mentioned being in a meeting about the war and couldn’t speak further, but emphatically added, “She didn’t know him,” referring to Epstein, before ending their call.

However, a source close to the situation reportedly told CNN that Trump was, in fact, aware of the First Lady’s intention to speak publicly. Melania’s office had alerted reporters the day before about an upcoming statement, though the specific topic remained undisclosed.

Melania’s Statement on Epstein

During her address, Melania Trump firmly stated, “The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today.” She explicitly denied that Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump, clarifying that she first met Epstein around the year 2000, two years after meeting her future husband.

She further clarified her relationship with Epstein, saying, “I’ve never been friends with Epstein.” She acknowledged that both she and Donald Trump were invited to the same parties as Epstein occasionally, but stressed it was not a personal friendship. Melania also dismissed a resurfaced email exchange with Ghislaine Maxwell as mere “casual correspondence” and a “trivial note.”

Call for Public Hearings

Beyond addressing her own connection, Melania Trump urged Congress to hold public hearings with survivors of Epstein’s abuse. Following her statement, Rep. Robert Garcia echoed this sentiment, calling for lawmakers to schedule testimony promptly.

This rare public statement from the First Lady, and the differing accounts of the President’s awareness, have certainly added another layer to the ongoing discussions surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.