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If Melania Trump wanted people not to put her and Jeffery Epstein\u2019s names in the same sentence, she failed miserably.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The first lady surprised the nation\u2014and reportedly much of the White House\u2014on April 9 when she delivered a surprise statement about her relationship with the convicted sex offender.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,\u201d Trump said. \u201cI never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice [Ghislaine] Maxwell.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility, and respect,\u201d she continued, though to whom she was referring was unclear. \u201cI do not object to their ignorance, but rather, I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
If the first lady\u2019s associations with Epstein had recently reentered the headlines, her speech might have been understandable. But instead, her statement left many scratching their heads and pointing at her and her husband\u2019s proven connections to Epstein, particularly Donald Trump and Epstein\u2019s friendship in the 1990s.<\/p>\n