Melania Trump denies ties to Jeffrey Epstein in TV statement

Reportedly not even the president knew she was going to make the speech

The First Lady said she decided to speak out, saying links drawn between her and Epstein "need to stop" and that the “stories are completely false”.

Melania Trump also called for congressional hearings for survivors of Epstein's sex trafficking.

Speaking in what is a rare press conference for the First Lady, Melania said that 'smears' "need to end today".

She added: "They are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.

"My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success."

She insisted she had "never been friends with Epstein".

Melania continued: "Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time since overlapping in social circles is common in New York City and Palm Beach.

"My email reply to Maxwell cannot be characterised as anything more than casual correspondence. My polite reply to her email doesn't amount to anything more than a trivial note.

"I am not Epstein's victim, Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump, I met my husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998. This initial encounter with my husband is documented in my book Melania.

"The first time I crossed paths with Epstein was in the year 2000 at an event Donald and I attended together. At the time I had never met Epstein and had no knowledge of his criminal undertakings.

"Numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been circling on social media for years now. Be cautious about what you believe, these images and stories are completely false. I am not a witness or a name witness in any of Epstein's crimes."

Speaking about Epstein, she added: "I have never had any knowledge of Epstein's abuse of his victims. I was never involved in any capacity, I was not a participant, was never on Epstein's plane and never visited his private island.

"I have never been legally accused or convicted of a crime in connection with Epstein's sex trafficking, abuse of minors or other repulsive behaviour. 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. . . .a"