Melania Trump DEMANDS Congress Allow Epstein Victims a Public Hearing: Full Remarks

[0:10] Good afternoon. The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today. [0:20] The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect. [0:31] I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame [0:40] my reputation. I never been friends with Epstein. Donald and I were invited to the same parties [0:51] as Epstein from time to time, since overlapping in social circles is common in New York City and [1:01] Palm Beach. To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice Maxwell. My email [1:14] reply to Maxwell cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence. My polite reply [1:25] to her email doesn't amount to anything more than a tribal note. I am not Epstein's victim. Epstein [1:38] did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at the New York City party in 1998. [1:50] This initial encounter with my husband is documented in a detail in my book, Melania. The first time I [1:59] crossed paths with Epstein was in the year 2000 at an event Donald and I attended together. At the time, [2:10] I had never met Epstein and had no knowledge of his criminal undertakings. Numerous fake images [2:22] and statements about Epstein and me have been calculating on social media for years now. Be cautious [2:34] about what you believe. These images and stories are completely false. I am not a witness or a name [2:46] witness in connection with any of Epstein's crimes. My name has never appeared in court documents, [2:54] the positions, victim statements or FBI interviews surrounding the Epstein matter. I have never had [3:06] any knowledge of Epstein abuse of his victims. I was never involved in any capacity. I was not a participant, [3:18] was never on Epstein's plane and never visited his private island. I have never been legally accused or [3:30] convinced of a crime in connection with Epstein sex trafficking, abuse of minors and other repulsive [3:40] behavior. The false smears about me from mean-spirited and politically motivated individuals [3:49] and entities looking to cause damage to my good name to gain financially and climb politically must stop. [3:58] My attorneys and I have fought these unfound and baseless lies with success and will continue to maintain [4:08] my sound reputation without hesitation. To date, several individuals and companies have been legally obligated [4:18] to publicly apologize and retract their lies about me, such as Daily Beast, James Carville and HarperCollins UK. [4:29] Now is the time for Congress to act. Epstein was not alone. Several prominent male executives resigned from their [4:43] powerful positions after this matter became widely politicized. Of course, this doesn't amount to guilt, but we still [4:55] must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth. I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized [5:03] by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors. Give these victims their [5:15] opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress with the power of sworn testimony. Each and every woman [5:26] should have her day to tell her story in public, if she wishes, and then her testimony should be permanently entered [5:36] into the congressional record. Then, and only then, we will have the truth. Thank you.