From NPR.

First lady Melania Trump gave a surprise statement Thursday denying any connection to Jeffrey Epstein. They appear together in a group photo from 2000, but Trump decries what she says are "fake images and statements" about herself and the deceased, convicted sex offender. She also urged Congress to hold hearings on the Epstein probe.

It’s unclear what prompted the statement.

President Trump is mentioned numerous times in the Epstein files released by the Justice Department. He has denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein’s alleged crimes. Trump has called on the country to "move on” from the Epstein scandal.

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Read "Melania Trump denies close ties to Jeffrey Epstein in rare public statement" at https://www.npr.org/2026/04/09/nx-s1-5779783/melania-trump-jeffrey-epstein

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