Mary Trump questions motive behind Melania's 'bizarre' statement on Epstein
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Mary Trump, the estranged niece of President Donald Trump sharply criticized her aunt and First Lady Melania Trump’s recent public statement regarding convicted offender Jeffrey Epstein, describing it as deeply troubling and questionable in intent.
The remarks came after Melania demanded an end to “lies” linking her to Epstein while also calling for public testimony from victims. According to her, the statement raises more questions than it answers and appears unusually timed.
Mary Trump highlights contradictions in Melania Trump’s statement
Melania publicly denied having any relationship with Epstein or his close confidant Ghislaine Maxwell, stating that she only encountered them occasionally due to overlapping social circles. She acknowledged being photographed with Epstein and attending some events where he was present, but insisted there was no deeper connection.
However, on Sunday, April 12, during 'The Daily Beast' podcast, Mary cited what she called “documentary evidence to the contrary,” pointing to photographs and an email exchange between Melania and Maxwell that was signed “Love, Melania.”
Mary further argued “To come in and say, I’m not a victim, I wasn’t a victim—well then, therefore, if we can show that you were connected to these people, at least you willingly entered into a relationship with two people we know were among the worst human beings on the planet.”
She also added that she had “trouble figuring out” why the first lady would gain permission to speak on an issue her husband has described as a “Democrat hoax,” and from which he has sought to distance himself since the start of his second term.
“As bizarre as this statement was for so many reasons, chief among them the fact that it focused attention on the issue Donald [Trump] has been desperately trying to get us to stop paying attention to,” She said.
Melania Trump’s statement sparks questions over timing and intent
Mary continued, “It seems unfathomable that she didn’t have to get permission to do this, So why would Donald’s people think this was a good idea? Unless, of course, and this has been the joke going around, he’s trying to distract from Iran."
According to reports, officials at the Trump White House were caught off guard by the first lady’s Thursday statement. “Weirdly, what she was saying is I don’t have any connection to Epstein, which is typically not something you expect the first lady of the United States to have to come out and say,” Mary emphasized, reiterating that the first lady is “clearly getting ahead of something.”
In her statement, Melania also denied online rumours that Epstein introduced her to Trump, calling them "mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation."
Melania additionally called on lawmakers to "give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress with the power of sworn testimony." She said, "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, Then, and only then, we will have the truth."
Her comment have drawn a mixed response from Epstein survivors. One survivor, Lisa Phillips, described the statement as a “bold move,” while questioning what more the first lady could do to support Epstein’s accusers.
