Washington, D.C. — Newly released testimony from Jeffrey Epstein has thrust First Lady Melania Trump into an uncomfortable spotlight. The late financier claimed he facilitated her first meeting with then-businessman Donald Trump and suggested that their first intimate encounter occurred aboard his private plane.
These revelations emerged as part of an extensive release of documents related to Epstein, following the implementation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The documents illuminate aspects of President Trump’s controversial relationship with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in August 2019.
In a rare public statement from the White House, Melania Trump categorically disputed Epstein’s claims. “Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump,” she emphasized, stating that the couple first met during a party in New York City in 1998—two years before her alleged interaction with Epstein. She also strongly asserted that she has never been on Epstein’s aircraft or visited his private island, labeling the rumors as “completely false.”
Accompanying Epstein’s testimony are statements from Johanna Sjoberg, one of the financier’s victims, who recounted interactions involving President Trump during the early 2000s. Sjoberg mentioned an occasion when Epstein’s plane diverted to Atlantic City, where Epstein allegedly stated he would contact Trump regarding one of his casinos. While Sjoberg described the incident, she made no accusations against Trump, adding that she did not interact with him inappropriately.
Since Epstein’s arrest in July 2019, President Trump has attempted to distance himself from the financier. He expressed in 2019, “I don’t think I’ve spoken to him for 15 years. I was not a fan of his,” despite earlier remarks referring to Epstein as a “terrific guy.”
The FBI’s investigation into Epstein, following his arrest, revealed limited evidence of a larger sex trafficking operation connecting influential figures. While agents collected thousands of videos and images from Epstein’s properties in New York and Florida, they concluded that these recordings did not show abuse or implicate anyone besides Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Epstein’s crimes.
Further complicating the narrative was a statement from former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who claimed to possess an “Epstein client list,” a claim later refuted by the FBI. Tensions escalated when Trump dismissed Bondi in April 2026 due, in part, to frustrations regarding the Epstein case.
The indictment of Epstein began in 2005 following allegations involving a 14-year-old girl who reported abuse at his Palm Beach residence. This led to a controversial plea deal in 2008, negotiated by then-U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta, allowing Epstein to serve a mere 18 months for state-level charges.
Among the other prominent figures mentioned in the released documents are former President Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew. Allegations against Prince Andrew include accusations made by Sjoberg of inappropriate conduct during a visit to Epstein’s New York home.
In a statement earlier this year, United Nations human rights experts highlighted the seriousness of the Epstein files, referring to the materials as “disturbing evidence” of potential crimes against humanity. They stressed the importance of addressing these issues thoroughly, stating that no individual, regardless of wealth or status, is above the law.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act, enacted last November, mandates the release of government records concerning the Epstein case. Since then, the Justice Department has made millions of pages of documents available to the public, illuminating the extensive reach and impact of Epstein’s illicit activities.
The White House has not provided further comments pertaining to Epstein’s claims about the First Lady beyond her initial denial.