Melania Trump press conference: I am not a witness in connection with Epstein crimes

[0:00] But rather, I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation. [0:09] I've never been friends with Epstein. [0:13] Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein Beach. [0:21] To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell. [0:29] My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence. [0:41] My polite reply to her email doesn't amount to anything more than a tribal note. [0:51] I am not Epstein's victim. [0:54] Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. [0:59] I met my husband by chance at the New York City party in 1998. [1:05] This initial encounter with my husband is documented in detail in my book, Melania. [1:15] The first time I crossed paths with Epstein was in the year 2000, at an event Donald and I attended together. [1:26] At the time, I had never met Epstein and had no knowledge of his criminal undertakings. [1:34] Numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been calculating on social media for years now. [1:51] Be cautious about what you believe. [1:55] These images and stories are completely false. [1:58] I am not a witness or a name witness in connection with any of Epstein's crimes. [2:08] My name has never appeared in court documents, depositions, victim statements or FBI interviews surrounding the Epstein matter. [2:20] I have never had any knowledge of Epstein's abuse of his victims. [2:30] I was never involved in any capacity. [2:33] I was not a participant, was never on Epstein's plane and never visited his private island. [2:41] I have never been legally accused or convinced of a crime in connection with Epstein's sex trafficking, abuse of minors and other repulsive behavior. [2:59] 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. [3:15] My attorneys and I have fought these unfound and baseless lies with success and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation. [3:28] To date, several individuals and companies have been legally obligated to publicly apologize and retract their lies about me, such as Daily Beast, James Carville and HarperCollins, UK. [3:47] Now is the time for Congress to act. [3:54] Epstein was not alone. [3:57] Several prominent male executives resigned from their powerful positions after this matter became widely politicized. [4:08] Of course, this doesn't amount to guilt, but we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth. [4:17] I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors. [4:30] Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress with the power of sworn testimony. [4:40] 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. [4:57] Then, and only then, we will have the truth. [5:03] Thank you. [5:03] I'm going to hold for a minute or two, everyone.