Melania Trump‘s White House address has not been received with open arms, especially by Jeffrey Epstein survivors.
The surviving victims of the late convicted sex offender have spoken up, clapping back at the First Lady’s remark, which urged them to come forward. The shocking address, which came from the White House, seems to be doing more harm than good, an apparent deviation from her expectations.
Despite the widely circulated email, Melania Trump maintains her stance that she and Donald Trump had no close association with Epstein. She claims that the speculations are false, damaging to her reputation, and must end.
Melania Trump’s Sudden Address Called A ‘Deflection Of Responsibility‘
Melania beat expectations with a released statement where she addressed the nation from the White House. Her message was clear and direct; she has no ties with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell! Further in her speech, the First Lady urged Congress to hold a public hearing so survivors can testify about Epstein’s crimes.
This remark struck a nerve in the survivors who have allegedly already come forward to state their case. Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) clapped back at Melania’s words in her statement on behalf of some of the sex offender survivors, which declared that “Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have already shown extraordinary courage by coming forward, filing reports, and giving testimony.”
Stansbury’s response stated that the First Lady’s request was just a form of deflection. “Asking more of them now is a deflection of responsibility, not justice,” part of the statement read. The sharp release concluded by reemphasizing that survivors of Epstein’s heinous acts had done their part, and it was time for the power to do theirs.
The First Lady’s Speech Has Raised More Questions
Melania likely hoped her national address would put an end to the continuous whispers tying her name and that of her husband to Epstein and his financier. But as reported by TMZ, more angles to the matter are being explored.
The statement released by Stansbury further accuses Melania of trying to shift the focus from the former Attorney General, Pam Bondi, who allegedly has questions to answer about withholding files and the exposure of victims’ identities. “Those failures continue to put lives at risk while shielding enablers,” the statement continued.
In case you missed it, Trump fired Bondi last week Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is now the acting Attorney General after President Trump fired Pam Bondi last week. This raised eyebrows, as there were previous reports that Blanche met with Maxwell for two days last year before she was transferred to a minimum security facility.
Melania Trump Says Time And Chance Were Behind The Viral Epstein Photo
In her speech, the First Lady claimed that she had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and never had a hand in them. She also debunked the rumors that the late convicted was the one who set her up to meet her husband. Melania noted that she and the President just happened to be at some of the same parties as Epstein and Maxwell, seemingly addressing an old photo where younger versions of the four were pictured posing together.
Melania insists that they were there coincidentally and not because they had any personal connections with each other. As reported by The Blast, the first lady stated that bad actors push out those rumors in an attempt to ruin her reputation.
“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today. The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility, and respect,” she added. However, contrary to Melania’s remark, an author, Michael Wolff, had previously spoken up, claiming that Epstein and Trump bonded over their mutual fascination for glamorous women, particularly models.
The Sudden Address Did Not Sit Right With White House Officials
As shared by The International News, Melania’s statement did not rub off on the survivors the wrong way. Many are beginning to scrutinize not only her words but the timing of the statement.
CNN Senior White House Correspondent Kristen Holmes took to social media to share the reaction of some White House offices after the national address made waves. “Some White House officials were stunned by the timing of the First Lady’s remarks, which sparked rumors that she was trying to get out ahead of something,” Holmes wrote.
Holmes added that one of the officials at the White House disclosed that there were pending disagreements over whether or not Melania should give the speech based on the fact that the dust around the story had settled. She then added that because “stories linking the first lady to Epstein were still circulating online, and Melania Trump wanted to go on the record with a firm denial,” the First Lady insisted on giving the speech.
The POTUS’s Reaction To Melania Trump’s Sudden Address
Just as fans, critics, and officials are reacting to Melania’s national address, her husband has hopped on the train. The President told news outlets that he had no idea she had decided to speak on the topic, but supported her message. He doubled down on her words, stating that she indeed did not know Epstein as she claims.
The Blast reported that another source debunked the claims, stating that the President was aware of his wife’s moves. They explained that Melania’s office had circulated an email the day before confirming she would address the media. However, the email reportedly did not disclose the subject or details of her speech.
Melania’s statement marked the first time she has publicly addressed the issue, reigniting the attention of many to Epstein’s crimes. The sex offender was first convicted in 2008 for soliciting sex from a minor. In 2019, he was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges but was found dead in his cell while awaiting trial.
Will Melania Trump speak on the Epstein case yet again?