Donald Trump has claimed he was blindsided by his wife Melania's surprise White House address denying connections with Jeffrey Epstein.
The First Lady called for survivors to be able to give evidence to Congress, and denied rumours that Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump, calling them "mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation".
The President told MS Now he “didn't know anything about” the First Lady's statement before she appeared on camera.
Trump added that “she didn't know [Epstein]” before hanging up on the reporter.
It is unclear exactly what prompted the announcement.
She said: “The lies linking me to the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today.
“The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect.
“I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.
“I never been friends with Epstein. 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.”
Melania also denied knowing Ghislaine Maxwell, the disgraced financier's jailed associate, and referenced a 2002 email between her and Maxwell which released in the Epstein files.
She said: “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.
“I am not Epstein’s victim, Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at the New York City Party in 1998. This initial encounter with my husband is documented in a detail in my book, Melania.
“The first time I crossed paths with Epstein was in the year 2000 at an event Donald and I attended together.
“At the time, I had never met Epstein and had no knowledge of his criminal undertakings.
“Numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been circulating on social media for years now.
“Be cautious about what you believe these images and stories are completely false.
“I’m not a witness or a named witness in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes.
“My name has never appeared in court documents, depositions, victim statements or FBI in 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. I was never on Epstein’s plane and never visited his private island.
“I have never been legally accused or convicted of a crime in connection with Epstein, sex trafficking, abuse of minors and other repulsive behaviour.
“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.
“My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success, and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.”
She added: “Now is the time for Congress to act. Epstein was not alone. Several prominent male executives resigned from their powerful positions after this matter became widely politicised. Of course, this doesn’t amount to guilt, but 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 we will have the truth.”
