President Donald Trump said he was caught off guard by Melania Trump’s White House remarks denying any connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
According to journalist Jacqueline Alemany, Trump told her he did not “know anything about” the first lady’s plans before she appeared in the White House briefing room on Thursday, April 9.
Alemany later wrote on X that the president also said Melania “didn’t know” Epstein before ending the call.
Just got off a quick call w President Trump who said he didnt “know anything about” FLOTUS’ statement prior to her on camera appearance, but that he was in a meeting about the war & couldn’t speak further. “She didn’t know him,” he added before hanging up, referring to Epstein.
— Jacqueline Alemany (@JaxAlemany) April 9, 2026
Still, CNN reported that a source familiar with the situation said Trump had been aware that the first lady intended to speak publicly.
Melania’s office alerted reporters a day earlier that she would “make a statement” at the White House at 2:30 p.m. ET, though the notice did not reveal the subject. During the rare address, Melania said, “The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today.” She denied that Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump and said she did not meet Epstein until 2000, two years after meeting her future husband.
“I’ve never been friends with Epstein,” Melania said. “Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time.”
She also dismissed a resurfaced email exchange with Ghislaine Maxwell, calling it “casual correspondence” and “a trivial note.”
Melania also urged Congress to hold public hearings with survivors. Afterward, Rep. Robert Garcia said he agreed and called for lawmakers to schedule testimony immediately following her first public comments on the matter.
