US first lady says she was unaware of Epstein’s crimes

US First Lady Melania Trump has stated that she never had any relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and was not among his victims.

“I [have] never been friends with Epstein,” she said while speaking at the White House.

“To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice Maxwell,” she added, noting that an email she sent to the financier’s assistant was merely a formal reply.

“I am not Epstein's victim,” the First Lady stressed.

According to her, she was unaware of his crimes and added that numerous fake images depicting her with the financier have been circulating on social media for years. She also rejected claims that Epstein introduced her to her future husband, stating that she met Donald Trump a year before encountering the financier in 2000.

“Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time since over overlappinging in social circles is common in New York City and Palm Beach,” she noted.

She also said she had never testified as a witness in any criminal case involving Epstein and that her name has not appeared in victims’ testimonies, interrogation records, or court documents.

“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,” the First Lady said, adding that she intends to continue defending her reputation in court with her legal team.