First Lady Melania Trump forcefully denied having any friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a rare White House address on Thursday. She stated she was not Epstein's victim and that he did not introduce her to her husband, former President Donald Trump. The administration's handling of the Epstein files has become a persistent political issue.
Melania Trump described the claims as "false smears" from "mean spirited and politically motivated individuals." She asserted these entities were looking to damage her reputation for financial and political gain. The First Lady has previously taken legal action over similar allegations, resulting in apologies from three publishers.