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Trump Aide Linked to Melania Introduced Her to Trump Had Epstein Ties
Paolo Zampolli, who connected Melania Knauss and Donald Trump, had business dealings with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:05am
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The modeling industry's ties to powerful men like Jeffrey Epstein cast a long shadow over the lives and careers of the women involved.NYC TodayA new report from the Daily Beast reveals that Paolo Zampolli, the Italian modeling agent who introduced Melania Knauss (now Melania Trump) to Donald Trump in 1998, had extensive ties to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein in the early 2000s. Zampolli, who now serves as a special envoy for the Trump administration, discussed buying a modeling agency with Epstein and was named a partner in Epstein's now-defunct charity, the TerraMar Project.
Why it matters
The revelations about Zampolli's connections to Epstein raise further questions about the Trump family's proximity to the disgraced financier and his associates, despite Melania Trump's public denials of any links. Zampolli's role in introducing the future First Lady to her husband also draws new scrutiny to the origins of their relationship.
The details
According to the Daily Beast report, in the early 2000s Zampolli and Epstein discussed buying a modeling agency together. Later, Zampolli was named a partner in Epstein's now-defunct TerraMar Project ocean charity. Zampolli told the Daily Beast that he had to maintain a 'very cordial relationship' with Epstein because the American lingerie business, which was run by another Epstein associate, Les Wexner, at the time.
- In 1998, Zampolli introduced Melania Knauss to Donald Trump.
- In the early 2000s, Zampolli and Epstein discussed buying a modeling agency together.
- Zampolli was later named a partner in Epstein's TerraMar Project charity.
The players
Paolo Zampolli
An Italian modeling agent who introduced Melania Knauss to Donald Trump in 1998. In the early 2000s, he had business dealings with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, including discussions about buying a modeling agency together and Zampolli being named a partner in Epstein's TerraMar Project charity.
Melania Trump
The First Lady of the United States, who was introduced to Donald Trump by Paolo Zampolli in 1998 when she was a Slovenian model.
Jeffrey Epstein
A convicted sex trafficker who had business dealings with Paolo Zampolli in the early 2000s.
What they’re saying
“For me, Jeffrey Epstein was a financial partner of Victoria's Secret. I had to deal with him.”
— Paolo Zampolli
“We never get along, thank God. But I had to have a very cordial relationship.”
— Paolo Zampolli
The takeaway
This report highlights the complex web of connections between Trump associates, the modeling industry, and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It raises further questions about the Trump family's proximity to Epstein and his associates, despite Melania Trump's public denials of any links.
