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First Lady Melania Trump made a public statement this Thursday from the Grand Foyer of the White House, in which she denied any connections to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and called on Congress to hold a public hearing for his victims to testify under oath.
“The false accusations against me by malicious individuals and entities with political motivations, seeking to tarnish my good name for financial gain or political advancement, must end,” Melania said, as quoted by NBC News.
"Give these victims the opportunity to testify under oath before Congress, with the weight of a formal statement. Every woman should have her day to share her story publicly, if she wishes, and have her testimony permanently recorded in the Congressional Record," she stated. "Only then will we have the truth."
It was the first time that Melania Trump spoke on camera about the Epstein controversy, in an appearance that took even several of her own advisors by surprise, who gathered to watch her without knowing in advance what she was going to say, according to various sources.
The First Lady stated that she never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and she denounced the circulation of false images and statements on social media that link her to the case.
Her message was brief but significant. Melania tends to be cautious in her public appearances and in managing her image. Several of her aides gathered to hear her statement in the Grand Foyer of the White House, although some of them were not aware beforehand of what she was going to say.
The First Lady's main advisor, Marc Beckman, stated in a statement that Melania decided to speak out now because "enough is enough" and "the lies need to stop," according to the cited media outlet.
"It is time for the public and the media to focus on her accomplishments as First Lady, the lives she has positively impacted, and her commitment to our nation," Beckman stated.
Her statements come after the Department of Justice informed the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday that former Attorney General Pam Bondi will not comply with a subpoena to testify before that panel next week.
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