White House officials were reportedly blindsided after first lady Melania Trump gave a surprise address in which she admitted partying with two of the country's most infamous sex offenders, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
During an address at the White House, Trump decried the "lies" linking her to Epstein and Maxwell.
"I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation. I've 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," the first lady said. "To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell. My email reply to Maxwell cannot be characterized as anything more than casual correspondence."
"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, the depositions, victim statements, or FBI in 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, 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 behavior," she insisted.
Trump, however, did not spend as much time defending her husband.
"Now is the time for Congress to act. Epstein was not alone," she said. "Several prominent male executives resigned from their powerful positions after this matter became widely politicized. Of course, this doesn't amount to guilt, but we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth."
Following the speech, MS NOW's Jake Traylor reported that White House officials "were caught off guard by her statement."