‘Nice story about JE’: ‘Sweet pea’ Melania Trump denies ties and friendship with Jeffery Epstein, but an old email exchange with his aide Ghislaine Maxwell brings shocking twist

The issue of the Epstein files returned to the spotlight on Thursday (April 9, 2026), when First Lady Melania Trump denied having any relationship with financier and convicted child sex offender Jeffery Epstein. She also asserted that she was not one of his victims.

Despite Melania Trump denying any relationship or friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, fresh scrutiny has emerged over a 2002 email included in newly released files. In the email, she wrote to Ghislaine Maxwell - later identified as Epstein’s co-conspirator in the abuse of underage girls - about a 2002 New York Magazine article on Epstein, adding a new dimension to the renewed controversy.

Melania Trump did not explain why she chose to speak publicly, reviving an issue that had largely faded from the headlines as attention shifted to the US-Israeli war involving Iran. Her remarks, however, thrust the Jeffrey Epstein controversy back into the spotlight, reopening scrutiny over a matter her husband and US President Donald Trump had sought to move past.


The Trump administration, under pressure from the president's political base, ordered the U.S. Justice Department to release files tied to criminal probes of Epstein in compliance with a transparency law passed by Congress.

While reading a statement, Melania also denied online speculation that the disgraced financier and sex offender had introduced her to Donald Trump, saying she had met her husband at a New York City party in 1998, two years before crossing paths with Epstein at another event she attended with Trump, as reported by news agency Reuters.

She also urged Congress to hold public hearings for Epstein victims to tell their stories under oath, raising the prospect of further public attention on an issue the president wants to go away. "The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today," Melania said. "I am not Epstein's victim," ⁠she said, ⁠responding to what she said were false smears against her.

Trump, a onetime friend of Epstein who said he cut ties with the financier in the early 2000s, is among many famous people, celebrities, politicians, and intellectuals named in the government files. Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to two Florida felonies, including procurement of a minor for prostitution, was facing federal charges of sex-trafficking minors in 2019, when he died in jail in what was ruled a suicide.

Why Melania Trump broke her silence on Jeffrey Epstein now?

Marc Beckman, her senior adviser, told Reuters in a statement, "First Lady Melania Trump spoke out now because enough is enough. The lies must stop." A spokesperson for the first lady said Trump's aides ⁠were made ‌aware of her plans for Thursday's statement.

However, a White House official not involved in external communications and not authorized to speak publicly told MS NOW that many White House staffers were caught off guard by the first lady’s statement.

When did Melania Trump meet Epstein for the first time?

The first lady said she had never had a relationship with Epstein or his convicted associate Ghislaine Maxwell, with whom she said she had only a casual correspondence.

Melania Trump said she first "crossed paths" with Epstein in 2000 at an event she attended with Donald Trump, five years before their marriage. "At the time, I had never met Epstein and had no knowledge of his criminal undertakings," she said, as quoted by Reuters.

"I have never been friends with Epstein," Melania Trump said. "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."

Melania Trump’s email to Maxwell emerged in released Epstein files

Although Melania Trump denied all stories of ties or friendship with Epstein, a 2002 email from her to Maxwell surfaced in the files regarding a New York Magazine piece on Epstein.

"Dear GI How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture. I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time! Love, Melania,” the email reads.

Maxwell, convicted child sex offender currently serving a 20-year sentence in prison, apparently responded to that message, calling the first lady “sweet pea” and saying she would not have time to see her in New York but would try to call.

“Sweet pea - thanks for your message. Actually plans changed again and I am now on my way back to NY. I leave again on Fri so I still do not think I have time to see you sadly. I will try
and call though…Keep well,” the response read.

Melania said her email “cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence.” “My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note,” she added.

What did the New York Magazine article say about Epstein?

The New York Magazine piece describes Epstein as an “International Moneyman of Mystery,” offering an in-depth look at both his personal and professional life, as well as his lavish lifestyle. According to the magazine article, “Epstein likes to tell people that he’s a loner, a man who’s never touched alcohol or drugs, and one whose nightlife is far from energetic.”

In the article Trump has been quoted as calling the disgraced financier a "terrific guy." “And yet if you talk to Donald Trump, a different Epstein emerges. “I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy,” Trump booms from a speakerphone. “He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life,” the article read.