Melania Trump Calls For Epstein Survivors Congressional Hearing | EUROtoday

First woman Melania Trump referred to as for Congress to carry a public listening to centered on survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, in a Thursday press look the place she additionally tried to distance herself from the late intercourse abuser.

“Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress with the power of sworn testimony,” she informed reporters. “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.”

The demand is a serious step for the primary woman, given the friendship her husband, President Donald Trump, had with the disgraced financier. The White House has not instantly responded to HuffPost’s request for remark, although CNN stories that the president was not beforehand conscious his spouse would point out Epstein in her speech.

The Trump administration has confronted main bipartisan backlash for its efforts to hinder the total, clear launch of the Epstein information. Under not too long ago ousted Attorney General Pam Bondi, related paperwork could be launched over a number of drops, with many gadgets censoring highly effective names whereas revealing survivors’ identities.

“First Lady Melania Trump is now shifting the burden onto survivors under politicized conditions that protect those with power,” greater than a dozen Epstein survivors stated in a Thursday assertion. “The Department of Justice, law enforcement, prosecutors and the Trump Administration, which has still not fully complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.”

Trump made positive to make clear, for some purpose, that she herself “is not Epstein’s victim,” and that the “disgraceful” intercourse abuser was not liable for introducing her to Donald Trump. She additionally condemned what she referred to as “fake images and statements” purporting to hyperlink her to Epstein.

“The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect,” she stated. “I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.”

The first woman named The Daily Beast for example of an outlet that needed to retract its claims about her ties with Epstein. But provided that the story Trump is probably going referring to was from February, it’s unclear why she is selecting to discuss it now.

“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,” she stated.

Trump did admit, nonetheless, that she exchanged an e mail not less than as soon as with Epstein’s now-imprisoned confederate Ghislaine Maxwell. The October 2002 e mail in query was made public in February by the House.

“Dear G! How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture,” her e mail to Maxwell learn, with “JE” seemingly a shortened reference to Epstein. “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!”

Maxwell responded to Trump by thanking her for the message and calling her “sweet pea.”

“Actually plans changed again and I am now on my way back to NY,” she stated. “I leave again on Fri so I still do not think I have time to see you sadly. I will try and call though. Keep well.”

On Thursday, Trump stated her e mail to Maxwell “cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence.”

“My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a [trivial] note,” she continued, after claiming that she was not pals with Epstein.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who alongside Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) has aggressively pushed for accountability and justice associated to the Epstein information, stated Thursday that the job of asking survivors to testify earlier than Congress falls on performing Attorney General Todd Blanche.

″[Khanna] & I already gave courageous survivors an opportunity to inform their horrific tales on Capitol Hill,” Massie posted on X. “Pam Bondi wouldn’t even acknowledge them.”

Bondi is scheduled to testify earlier than the House Oversight Committee on April 14 over the White House’s position in hindering the Epstein information’ launch. The committee’s rating member, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), stated Thursday that Democrats agree with the thought of a survivor-centered listening to.

The survivors, nonetheless, stated Thursday that they’ve already proven “extraordinary courage by coming forward, filing reports and giving testimony,” and that asking them to do extra is “a deflection of responsibility, not justice.”

“Survivors have done their part,” they stated. “Now it’s time for those in power to do theirs.”