Ro Khanna zeroes in on Melania's '4 incredibly important' Epstein words, calls for oath testimony

WASHINGTON, DC: A fresh political flashpoint has emerged over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation after First Lady Melania Trump delivered a rare televised statement on Thursday, April 9, from the White House denying any “relationship” with the convicted offender or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

The statement, aimed at rejecting what she described as “malicious and politically motivated” claims, has now drawn renewed attention from congressional investigators.

Rep Ro Khanna (D-Calif), a member of the House Oversight Committee and lead sponsor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, said the first lady’s remarks warrant further scrutiny.

Appearing on MS NOW's 'The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell', Khanna called for her to testify under oath, arguing that aspects of her statement raise questions relevant to the broader investigation into Epstein’s network.

Ro Khanna flags first lady's Epstein remark as significant

Khanna pointed to a specific portion of the first lady’s statement, focusing on her assertion that Epstein “was not acting alone.” According to the California Democrat, that phrasing could carry investigative significance.

“She has relevant information,” Khanna said during the interview. “If she didn’t have relevant information, how could she say that Epstein was not acting alone?”

He described the phrase as “four incredibly important words” in the context of ongoing efforts to identify individuals connected to Epstein’s activities.

Khanna added that investigators should seek clarity on what the first lady meant and whether she has knowledge of others potentially involved in the case.

The lawmaker emphasized that the committee’s objective is to determine the scope of information held by individuals who may have been in overlapping social circles during the early 2000s, when Epstein maintained ties with high-profile figures in New York and Palm Beach.

First lady calls Epstein allegations 'baseless lies'

Melania Trump’s statement came during a five-minute address delivered from the Grand Foyer of the White House.

Reading from prepared remarks, she rejected allegations linking her to Epstein as “unfounded and baseless lies,” stating that she had no involvement with him or his activities.

She acknowledged limited, “casual” correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell in 2002 but said she was never associated with Epstein’s travel network or social operations.

The first lady also said she was neither a victim nor a participant in any conduct related to the case.

In her remarks, she urged Congress to focus on survivor testimony. “Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public if she wishes,” she said, calling for hearings that center on victims’ accounts.

Her statement did not address whether she would be willing to testify herself.

Epstein files and Mar-a-Lago ties

The push comes after the 2025 release of a large volume of documents related to the Epstein case, including travel logs, communications, and photographs.

The materials have led to renewed scrutiny of multiple locations, including Palm Beach, where Epstein maintained a residence.

House Oversight Democrats, led by Ranking Member Robert Garcia, are preparing a field hearing in Palm Beach on April 14, where survivors are expected to provide testimony about alleged recruitment patterns.

The hearing is part of a broader effort to examine the scope of Epstein’s network and the institutions connected to it.

The committee has also scheduled several high-profile interviews as part of its inquiry. With additional witnesses expected in the coming weeks, Khanna indicated that individuals with potential knowledge of Epstein’s activities remain under consideration.