The email exchange referenced by Melania Trump in her surprise statement about her alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein has resurfaced.
The first lady, 55, left the world - and also reportedly her husband Donald - stunned after she addressed rumours about her supposed friendship with the convicted sex offender.
On Thursday (9 April), she gave a feisty speech from the White House where she said: "The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today."
Melania insisted that suggestions that she had a close association with the disgraced financier were nothing more than 'mean-spirited attempts to defame her reputation'.
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"I have never been friends with Epstein," she declared. "Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time, since overlapping in social circles is common in New York City and Palm Beach.
"To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell. My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorised as anything more than casual correspondence."
"My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note," Melania said, while urging people to 'be cautious about what you believe'.
She went on to say that there are 'numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and her' floating around on social media, which she claimed were 'completely false'.
"I am not a witness or a named witness in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes," Melania went on.
"My name has never appeared in court documents, depositions, victim statements, or FBI interviews surrounding the Epstein matter. 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.
"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."
It later emerged that Donald had no idea that his spouse was going to address the world with these words, as MS NOW anchor Jacqueline Alemany claimed the president told her it also took him by surprise.
In a post on X, the reporter wrote: "Just got off a quick call with President Trump who said he didn't 'know anything about' FLOTUS’ statement prior to her on camera appearance, but that he was in a meeting about the war and couldn’t speak further. 'She didn’t know him', he added before hanging up, referring to Epstein."
In the wake of Melania's bombshell statement, the email exchange she referenced between her and Ghislaine Maxwell has reared its head once again.
The former socialite and Epstein's right-hand woman is currently serving a 20-year jail sentence in the US for luring in young girls for him to sexually abuse.
Some people have raised questions about the definition of 'casual correspondence' after casting an eye over the messages Melania and Maxwell shared.
More than three million documents related to Epstein were released earlier this year. The US Department of Justice was legally obligated to do so after Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November last year.
In an email sent in October 2002 - with the subject line 'HI!' - the first lady wrote: "Dear G! How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture.
"I know you are very busy flying all over the world," it continued. "How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time! Love, Melania."
That year, Epstein featured in a piece for New York Magazine - and Trump was interviewed as part of it. He described the sordid businessman as a 'terrific guy' who is 'a lot of fun to be with' at the time.
"It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side," the commander-in-chief was quoted as saying, as per The Telegraph. "No doubt about it - Jeffrey enjoys his social life."
Maxwell subsequently responded with a message where she referred to Melania as 'sweet pea', saying: "Thanks for your message. Actually, plans changed again and I am now on my way back to NY.
"I leave again on Fri so I still do not think I have time to see you sadly. I will try and call though."
Another email released among the horde of Epstein files from an unidentified sender also included mention of Melania.
The message sent to Epstein said: "I remember flying back with Donald on his plane the first weekend I went to visit you in Florida was the weekend he met Melania and he kept on coming out of the bedroom saying, 'Wow what a hot piece of a**'. Nuts."
Epstein also allegedly discussed his apparent ties to Melania during a conversation he had with author Michael Wolff, in recordings obtained by the Daily Beast in 2024.
Trump's team described the audio as 'false smears' when they first surfaced.
On Thursday, Melania wrapped up her statement by urging 'Congress to act', saying: "We still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth.
"I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimised by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centred around the survivors.
"Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress, with the power of sworn testimony. 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, will we have the truth."
Topics: Donald Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, Melania Trump, Politics, US News
Olivia Burke