Melania Trump Adviser Speaks on First Lady's Surprise Epstein Statement

Marc Beckman says Melania Trump wanted to 'set the record straight' on her ties to the late convicted sex offender.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:06am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government office space, with a single chair and desk as the only focal point, conveying a sense of solitude and the weight of political responsibility.Melania Trump's surprise statement on Jeffrey Epstein exposes the shadows of power and the solitary burdens of the political elite.Washington Today

A senior adviser to first lady Melania Trump, Marc Beckman, said she wanted to 'set the record straight' when she delivered a surprise statement at the White House denying any ties to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Beckman elaborated on the first lady's decision to publicly address the Epstein controversy, saying 'If she can't stick up for herself, if she can't defend herself and make sure that her reputation is impeccable, who will do it?'

Why it matters

The first lady's statement on Epstein comes amid ongoing scrutiny over the convicted sex offender's connections to powerful figures. Melania Trump's decision to speak out on the issue directly challenges the narrative and aims to clear her name of any association with Epstein.

The details

In her statement, Melania Trump denied having any knowledge of Epstein's crimes or any relationship with him or his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. She called for public hearings into the Epstein controversy and to allow survivors to testify before Congress. Beckman said the first lady wanted to 'debunk all of the lies' surrounding her and Epstein, and that she is 'calling on Congress to act now'.

  • Melania Trump delivered her surprise statement at the White House on Thursday.

The players

Melania Trump

The First Lady of the United States, who delivered a surprise statement denying any ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Marc Beckman

A senior adviser to First Lady Melania Trump, who spoke about her decision to address the Epstein controversy.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late convicted sex offender whose connections to powerful figures have been the subject of ongoing scrutiny.

Ghislaine Maxwell

Epstein's co-conspirator who was convicted of sex trafficking.

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What they’re saying

“'If she can't stick up for herself, if she can't defend herself and make sure that her reputation is impeccable, who will do it? Nobody's done it to date.'”

— Marc Beckman, Senior Adviser to First Lady Melania Trump

“'The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today.'”

— Melania Trump

What’s next

A group of 13 Epstein survivors and the brother and sister-in-law of another accused the first lady of 'shifting the burden onto survivors,' rather than pushing for accountability. The White House has not responded to a request for comment on whether President Trump agrees with the first lady that Epstein's victims should testify before Congress.

The takeaway

Melania Trump's surprise statement on Epstein represents a direct challenge to the ongoing narrative around the convicted sex offender's powerful connections. By forcefully denying any ties and calling for action, the first lady is positioning herself as a champion for Epstein's victims and a leader in Washington.