Melania Trump Slams ‘Lies’ Linking Her to Jeffrey Epstein at White House Event
Melania Trump Slams ‘Lies’ Linking Her to Jeffrey Epstein at White House Event
'I am not Epstein's victim' the first lady remarked in her prewritten statement
First lady Melania Trump shreds those 'lying' about her and calls out 'smears' about alleged ties to Epstein.
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First lady Melania Trump delivered a rare, brief statement Thursday afternoon at the White House, coming out swinging at those who have linked her to Jeffrey Epstein, calling them "devoid of ethical standards."
The remarks lasted roughly three minutes and did not include questions from the press.
"The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today," she said. "I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation."
A White House official told Fox News ahead of the event that the appearance would be a "statement" rather than a formal announcement.
First lady Melania Trump speaks at the White House, Thursday, in Washington, D.C. (Mandel Ngan / AFP via Getty Images)
Trump clarified the history between herself, her husband, President Donald Trump, and Epstein, during her remarks.
"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," she said.
President Donald Trumpon the first lady's remarks, reportedly saying he didn't "know anything about" the statement beforehand.
He added: "[Melania] didn't know him," referring to Epstein, before hanging up with the journalist.
The first lady went on to reference several named accusers, including Democrat insider James Carville and The Daily Beast, as those who publicly apologized after linking Trump to Epstein.
First lady Melania Trump walks from the Blue Room of the White House as she arrives to deliver a statement, Thursday, in Washington, D.C. (Mandel Ngan / AFP via Getty Images)
"To date, several individuals and companies have been legally obligated to publicly apologize and retract their lies about me, such as The Daily Beast, James Carville and Harper Collins, UK," Trump said. "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. My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success, and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation."
The Daily Beast pulled a story about Melania Trump being "very involved" with Epstein, based on an interview with Michael Wolff, last July after the outlet said the "article did not meet our standards."
Mrs. Trump further clarified the historical record in her statement, explaining that she met Epstein in 2000, two years after she met her husband, Donald.
First lady Melania Trump delivers a statement Thursday at the White House. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
"I am not Epstein's victim," Trump said. "Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998. This initial encounter with my husband is documented in a detail in my book ‘Melania.’ 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."
The first lady also cautioned Americans concerning ‘fake images’ on social media related to the matter.
"Numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been calculating on social media for years now," Trump said. "Be cautious about what you believe. These images and stories are completely false."
The first lady called on Congress to act on Epstein's circle, saying ‘each and every woman’ should have her moment to share testimony.
"I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors," she said. "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."
"First Lady Melania Trump spoke out now because enough is enough. The lies must stop," Mrs. Trump's senior advisor Marc Beckman "It is time for the public and media to focus on her incredible achievements as First Lady, the lives she has positively impacted, and her commitment to our nation."
Melania's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for additional comment.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Fox News Digital's Brian Flood contributed to this reporting.
Jasmine Baehr is a Breaking News Writer for Fox News Digital, where she covers politics, the military, faith and culture.
Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Contains Financial Surprise For Seniors
Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Contains Financial Surprise For Seniors
The tax law known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025, includes a new temporary tax deduction aimed at taxpayers age 65 and older that could reduce their federal tax burden on filings for tax years 2025 through 2028.
Under the provision, eligible seniors may claim up to a $6,000 additional deduction on their federal income tax returns, on top of the regular standard deduction or any itemized deductions. Married couples in which both spouses are 65 or older may qualify for up to $12,000 in total senior deductions.
To qualify, taxpayers must be 65 or older by the end of the tax year and have a valid Social Security number. There are income limits for full eligibility: single filers generally must have a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) below about $75,000, and married joint filers must have a MAGI below about $150,000. The deduction phases out gradually for incomes above those thresholds and is unavailable once income exceeds the higher limits.
The deduction is available whether a senior itemizes deductions or takes the standard deduction, and its primary effect is to lower taxable income, which can reduce tax liability or increase a tax refund when filing. It does not directly eliminate federal tax on Social Security benefits, though in many cases the deduction may reduce tax owed on part of those benefits, Moneywise reported.
The senior tax break is one of several individual tax provisions in the 2025 law, which also extended prior tax cuts and added other deductions for things like wage income and interest expenses.
One of the most compelling reasons to claim this deduction is the rising cost of health care
By 2026, Medicare Part B premiums and other cost-sharing requirements continue to climb, often reducing a significant portion of the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase. For many seniors, these recurring medical expenses are a major drain on their retirement savings, the outlet reported.
By utilizing the $6,000 deduction to lower your federal tax liability, you can effectively increase your available funds for covering these premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs, without depleting your principal savings further.
It’s important to note that the benefit of this deduction largely depends on whether you owe federal income tax. Many lower-income seniors may have zero tax liability after applying the standard deduction. For them, an additional deduction offers no extra benefit since it is not a refundable credit.
The ideal candidates for this deduction are retirees who have enough taxable income—whether from IRA withdrawals, pensions, wages, or investments—such that a $6,000 reduction in taxable income leads to actual tax savings, the report added.|
One of the most flexible aspects of this new law is that it is available to both itemizers and non-itemizers. This means you don’t have to choose between your charitable giving or medical expense deductions and the new $6,000 deduction. However, it’s important to run the numbers to determine whether itemizing is more beneficial than taking the standard deduction, particularly if you have significant state and local taxes or mortgage interest.
Timing is also crucial for maximizing this benefit. Between now and 2028, consider strategically managing your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) withdrawals or exploring Roth conversions to make the most of the deduction while staying below the phaseout thresholds.
“When doing so, always keep an eye on your provisional income to avoid accidentally triggering higher taxes on your Social Security or higher Medicare IRMAA (income-related monthly adjustment amount) surcharges,” Moneywise noted further.
“Whether you prepare your own taxes or work with a professional, double-check that the deduction is applied correctly, especially on joint returns, to ensure you are capturing the full $12,000 for a married couple,” said the report.
