Reactions poured in Thursday after first lady Melania Trump issued a rare on-camera statement forcefully rebuking allegations linking her to disgraced financier and convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

Speaking earlier in the day, Melania Trump said she was never friends with Epstein or his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, and stressed that neither played any role in her introduction to her husband, President Donald Trump.

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she said. “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather, I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.” 

As she emphasized that her name never appeared in court documents related to Epstein, several political figures quickly took to social media to publicly rally in support of the first lady.

MELANIA TRUMP DENOUNCES ‘LIES’ CONNECTING HER WITH DISGRACED FINANCIER JEFFREY EPSTEIN IN WHITE HOUSE EVENT

First lady Melania Trump speaks to reporters Thursday, April 9, 2026, in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington.  (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., a leading congressional voice calling for the release of the Epstein files, praised Melania on X with a photo saying, “Melania Trump stands with Epstein victims.” 

She also applauded Melania for championing legislation that criminalizes the sharing of fake intimate images of women.

“Thank you to our First Lady for being a voice for victims across the country. From her work on the Take It Down Act to publicly standing for the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and calling for action and the truth,” she said. 

“The truth will prevail. America is strong when strong women stand up for what is right.”

VOGUE’S ANNA WINTOUR TAKES SWIPE AT MELANIA TRUMP’S STYLE WHILE PRAISING LIBERAL FAVORITES

Rep. Nancy Mace speaks on July 22 at a House Oversight Committee hearing, (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has pushed for the release of documents through the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which he co-authored with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., addressed Melania’s effort to bring survivors in for congressional testimony and said leadership should face consequences over their handling of the files, including recently ousted Attorney General Pam Bondi.  

“First Lady asks Congress to bring Epstein survivors in for testimony. With all due respect, that’s @DAGToddBlanche’s job!,” he said. 

“@RepRoKhanna & I already gave brave survivors a chance to tell their horrific stories on Capitol Hill. @PamBondi wouldn’t even acknowledge them. PROSECUTE!”

DAILY BEAST APOLOGIZES TO MELANIA TRUMP OVER RETRACTED EPSTEIN ALLEGATIONS ARTICLE

Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie during a meeting. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., once a fierce Trump supporter before a public falling out with the president, also posted on X aligning with Melania’s remarks.

“I am grateful to the First Lady for her brave statement today about Epstein and his victims,” she said. “I agree with her that the victims should be heard. I also agree with Thomas Massie. The DOJ needs to PROSECUTE!!! And the role of Congress is to legislate, not prosecute.”

DAILY BEAST PULLS STORY ALLEGING MELANIA-EPSTEIN CONNECTION AFTER LAWYERS DISPUTE FRAMING

First lady Melania Trump said Thursday her social circles occasionally overlapped, but she was never friends with Jeffrey Epstein. (Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)

Democrats also took to social media after her fiery remarks.

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., called on House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., to schedule a public hearing “immediately.”

“We agree with First Lady Melania Trump’s call for a public hearing with the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein. We encourage Chairman Comer to respond to the First Lady’s request and schedule a public hearing immediately,” he said in a post on X.

Rep. Robert Garcia speaks alongside other Democrats. (Getty)

He also characterized the first lady’s speech as a significant moment, saying her remarks drew renewed attention to an investigation some critics argue has not progressed far enough.

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“The First Lady said two things,” Garcia said. “1) She pushed back on Acting AG Todd Blanche & her husband’s efforts to kill this investigation. 2) She joined our efforts to call for a public hearing where survivors who choose to do so have an opportunity to testify.” 

First Lady Melania Trump is pushing back on claims she was linked to the disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in a surprise address at the White House. 

‘I am not Epstein’s victim,’ she stated during the address on Thursday afternoon. ‘Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998.’

‘I’ve never been friends with Epstein,’ she added. 

The announcement came as a shock, as there had not been recent revelations linking her to the sex offender, who the government says committed suicide while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges in August 2019. 

She claimed that though she and the President had overlapping social circles with Epstein, they did not have a relationship. She also said that she never associated with Epstein’s criminal associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. 

She told the room that she first met Epstein in 2000 and that she was unaware of his criminal undertakings. 

The First Lady said she had seen ‘fake images and statements’ linking her to Epstein on social media for years, and urged viewers to ‘be cautious about what you believe.’

‘These images and stories are completely false. I’m not a witness or unnamed witness in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes.’ 

‘I’ve never been friends with Epstein,’ Melania Trump said during an address at the White House on Thursday afternoon

The First Lady said that rumors on social media that linked her to Epstein are false, and that she met Donald Trump at a party in 1998, not through the late sex offender

‘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 continued. ‘Baseless lies with success and continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.’

In a surprising move, Melania called on congress to hold hearings with victims of Epstein’s abuse. 

‘I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors,’ she added. 

Melania noted how Epstein did not work alone and that several prominent male executives resigned as the scandal became increasingly politicized. 

Though that does not amount to the executive’s being guilty, ‘we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth.’

She also addressed an email that she had sent to Maxwell that was published in January, saying that her response was to be polite, and it did not indicate a close relationship. 

Buried in the tranche of more than three million Jeffrey Epstein files, is an email signed ‘Love, Melania’ that appears to be addressed to Ghislaine Maxwell.

The names of the sender and recipient of the October 23, 2002, email are redacted.

Donald Trump and his then-girlfriend Melania Knauss, Jeffrey Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, February 12, 2000

Trump and the financier chatting to Belgian supermodel Ingrid Seynhaeve at a Victoria’s Secret party at Manhattan’s Laura Belle club in April 1997

Ghislaine Maxwell attends a Theo Fennell party at the Cafe Royal, London, November 10, 1996

The message begins: ‘Dear G! How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture.’

That week, New York Magazine ran a now-infamous story headlined: ‘Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery.’

The article featured a full-page color illustration of Epstein grinning alongside Bill Clinton in front of his private jet, as the actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker board the aircraft.

The piece included a photo of Maxwell with Epstein at a black tie event, as well as a photo of Donald Trump and the financier chatting to Belgian supermodel Ingrid Seynhaeve at a Victoria’s Secret party.

The email continues: ‘I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time!’

It is signed affectionately: ‘Love, Melania.’

The rich could be even richer — if they stop leaving money on the table.

The people owed a portion of the $20 billion in “unclaimed funds” from the New York comptroller’s office include a Who’s Who of political, business and entertainment figures — from President Trump and first lady Melania to lefty city Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, billionaires Jeff Bezos and Mike Bloomberg and music stars Jay-Z and Lady Gaga.

A claimant named Barack Obama is also owed money.

Even Gov. Kathy Hochul is listed as being owed funds from a government agency.

Under state law, after three years, a business must report and forward unclaimed funds to state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s office for safekeeping.

“People move, change jobs or forget about old bank accounts. When money gets left behind, my office protects that money and helps the rightful owners claim it,” DiNapoli told The Post.

“We return over $2 million a day – more than any other state.”

The fund involves more than 55 million people and entities owed money, including:

• Donald Trump, formerly of the TV show “The Apprentice,” is owed income from NBC Universal Media and “miscellaneous tangible property” from TSG Interactive US Services LTD, which provides online poker.
• Melania Trump has an unredeemed gift certificate from Bergdorf Goodman and credit-account balances at Christian Dior and Richemont North America.
• Ivanka Trump has credit balances at Tiffany & Company and Neiman Marcus Group and is owed money from Getty Images, Google Inc. and from an overpayment from Baccarat Inc.
• Trump negotiator Steve Witkoff has government checks awaiting him as well as dividends from Walt Disney Co. and income from NBC Universal. In 2018, he played a guest role on “Law & Order,” one of his favorite TV shows.
• Billionaire Jeff Bezos has an old refund waiting for him from the state Department of Taxation, first reported in 2018.
• Billionaire former Mayor Mike Bloomberg has unredeemed gift certificates and vendor checks or balances with Federal Express and Verizon.
• Jay-Z, whose legal name Shawn Carter, and his Marcy Productions are owed income from Entertainment Partners.
• Material Girl Madonna is owed money from the state taxman and payments from Screenlife LLC
• Stefani Germanotta, a.k.a. Lady Gaga,has a claim with Elevance Health Inc.
• Alicia “Fallin” Keys is owed a check from MTV, pre-2010.
• Mariah Carey is owed wages from Mirage Entertainment and money from the state of Michigan.
• Rapper Nasir “Nas” Jones is owed income from Cast & Crew Talent Services and Walt Disney Co.
• Actor Robert DeNiro has claims on wages and profits from Walt Disney Co. and Amazon and some funds from old checking and savings accounts.
• Hochul is owed funds from an unspecified state agency.
• Former “Love Gov.” Eliot Spitzer reportedly overpaid American Express and is due money back.
• Ocasio-Cortez is owed a refund or rebate from Con Edison.
• Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo is owed a check from the state and money from insurance companies.
• Chris Cuomo is owed wages from NBCUniversal.
• Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, emerging from bankruptcy, has a credit balance with Sunrise Bank and Bank of America.
• Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a surplus with Mass General Brigham hospital, and balances with Chubb & Son and Amex.
• There’s a Barack Obama who is owed money from Paypal and Yahoo. It’s unclear if it’s the former president.
• The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is owed money from Sales Force Inc. and Regence Blue Shield.
• Billionaire John Catsimatidis’ son John Jr. and daughter Andrea have checks awaiting from a government agency as well as refunds and dividends from financial institutions.

Individuals can check to see if they’re owed money on the search engine of the comptroller’s unclaimed-funds website.

Because of privacy protections, it’s unclear how much money each person is owed. The claimant can call the comptroller’s office to find out.

“Famous or not, a lot of money or a little money, it is common for people to lose track of old accounts, checks, gift cards and refunds,” said Jennifer Freeman, a DiNapoli rep.

“That is why we’re making sure that hardworking New Yorkers can easily claim their lost money. These are tough times with gas and grocery prices jumping, so every little bit helps.

“We routinely reach out to individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations and host events all over the state,” she said.

“We use demographic and data-matching tools to reach out to people who may have lost money. We’re legally required to verify ownership of unclaimed funds, but the tools to assist with the verification process have greatly improved in recent years.”

The value of unclaimed funds has increased because states including New York have gotten more aggressive about requiring banks, insurance companies, utilities and businesses to report unclaimed funds, the comptroller’s office said.

“New York has always had strong laws to protect people’s money and help them claim what is rightfully theirs,” Freeman said.

The total value of unclaimed funds in 2023 was $18.4 billion, $19 billion in 2024 and $20 billion in 2025.

“We’re auditing banks, insurers and businesses to ensure compliance with the law and that they turn over funds that do not belong to them,” the comptroller’s rep said.

Melania may have featured some hits from the Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson, but according to producer Marc Beckman, some big-time artists denied permission for their music to be used in the documentary.

Beckman, who also serves as an advisor to the first lady, spoke with Variety about the music that was most difficult to license, citing instances where “there was music that [they] tried to get, but sadly, there were politics to it.”

“For example, the guys from Guns N’ Roses split down the middle politically,” he explained. “There was a beautiful song we wanted to use, and one of the guys — I don’t want to name, it’s not fair —said, ‘You got it. Go.’ And the other one was basically like, ‘There’s just no way.’ We needed everybody’s approval to get it in the film. So Guns N’ Roses was definitely a disappointment for us; we all have a lot of respect for Guns N’ Roses.”

Beckman mentioned that they also wanted to use a song from Grace Jones, who he said they have “a tremendous amount of respect for” as well.

“She apparently couldn’t get over the political hurdle, notwithstanding the fact that the film is not a political film,” he shared. “So that was disappointing, too. It’s disappointing when people put politics so far ahead, and that happened a little bit with the film, for sure.”

DECIDER reached out to representatives for Guns N’ Roses and Jones, but did not hear back by time of publication.

According to Beckman, they also were unable to secure rights to Prince‘s music, claiming that they were “ready to go” before the lawyer managing the late artist’s estate “was like, ‘Prince would never want his song associated with Donald Trump.’”

“And we’re like, ‘But it’s not a Donald Trump film! He comes into the movie once in a while, but this is all about Melania. It’s not political.’ And that guy blocked it. It’s so ridiculous,” Beckman told Variety.

The controversial documentary from director Brett Ratner did not receive the warmest of reviews from critics, including DECIDER’s own Jesse Hassenger, who deemed the film “a disingenuous documentary that misfires by mistaking the First Lady’s fame for star power.”

As for when the documentary, which was distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, may arrive on Prime Video, Beckman said that they are “still working out the date with Amazon as far as the launch goes.”

“We’re pretty much almost done with it on the post-production side now,” he added. “I think, conservatively predicting, mid-summer we’ll launch. We haven’t definitively picked a date yet, but it should be around then.”