CSPAN - First Lady Melania Trump Delivers Statement Aired: 2026-04-09 Duration: 07:59 === Ending Epstein Lies Today (06:27) === [00:00:00] Of humankind. [00:00:02] Well, you know, I think we'll take you up on that. [00:00:04] We'd love to have you back, perhaps in a forum where we have some CEOs interchanging with you. [00:00:09] I had so many more questions, including the MCC and Development Finance Corporation, your chairmanship there, but we're going to have to come back to that another time. [00:00:18] Okay, so let me thank Deputy Secretary Lando for giving us his time, for his public service. [00:00:26] And if you could all join me in applause, but also hold your seats as the Deputy Secretary leaves the room. [00:00:32] Thank you so much. [00:00:32] Thank you. [00:00:34] We take you live now to First Lady Melania. [00:00:36] We continue our live coverage of the good afternoon. [00:00:42] The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today. [00:00:51] The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility, and respect. [00:01:01] I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation. [00:01:13] I never been friends with Epstein. [00:01:17] 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. [00:01:34] To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell. [00:01:44] My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence. [00:01:54] My polite reply to her email doesn't amount to anything more than a trivial note. [00:02:04] I am not Epstein's victim. [00:02:07] Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. [00:02:12] I met my husband by chance at the New York City party in 1998. [00:02:20] This initial encounter with my husband is documented in detail in my book, Melania. [00:02:28] The first time I crossed paths with Epstein was in the year 2000 at an event Donald and I attended together. [00:02:39] At the time, I had never met Epstein and had no knowledge of his criminal undertakings. [00:02:50] Numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been calculating on social media for years now. [00:03:04] Be cautious about what you believe. [00:03:08] These images and stories are completely false. [00:03:14] I'm not a witness or a name witness in connection with any of Epstein's crimes. [00:03:21] My name has never appeared in court documents, depositions, victim statements, or FBI interviews surrounding the Epstein matter. [00:03:35] I have never had any knowledge of Epstein abuse of his victims. [00:03:43] I was never involved in any capacity. [00:03:46] I was not a participant, was never on Epstein's plane, and never visited his private island. [00:03:58] I have never been legally accused or convinced of a crime in connection with Epstein sex trafficking, abuse of minors, and other repulsive behavior. [00:04:12] The false sneers 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. [00:04:30] My attorneys and I have fought these unfound and baseless lies with success and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation. [00:04:43] To date, several individuals and companies have been legally obligated to publicly apologize and retract their lies about me, such as Daily Beast, James Carville, and HarperCollins, UK. [00:05:03] Now is the time for Congress to act. [00:05:07] Epstein was not alone. [00:05:10] Several prominent male executives resigned from their powerful positions after this matter became widely politicized. [00:05:21] Of course, this doesn't amount to guilt, but we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth. [00:05:32] I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors. [00:05:44] Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress with the power of sworn testimony. [00:05:55] Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public if she wishes, and then her testimony should be permanently entered into the congressional record. [00:06:11] Then and only then, we will have the truth. [00:06:16] Thank you. === Victims Testify For Truth (01:32) === [00:06:27] All this week on C-SPAN 2. [00:06:29] Watch Encore presentations from two of our signature programs, Q ⁇ A and America's Book Club, beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern on Q ⁇ A, compelling conversations about books, history, and ideas, with guests including Ann Butler and Barry Diller. [00:06:45] And at 9 p.m. Eastern on America's Book Club, host David Rubenstein invites viewers for lively, thought-provoking conversations with leading authors, policymakers, business innovators, and cultural figures like John Grisham, Beverly Gage, and Cal Ripken Jr. [00:07:00] Watch our encore presentations of Q ⁇ A and America's Book Club all this week at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern on C-SPAN 2. [00:07:08] And find the full schedule online at c-span.org. [00:07:18] Democracy. [00:07:19] It isn't just an idea. [00:07:20] It's a process. [00:07:22] A process shaped by leaders elected to the highest offices and entrusted to a select few with guarding its basic principles. [00:07:29] It's where debates unfold, decisions are made, and the nation's course is charted. [00:07:35] Democracy in real time. [00:07:37] This is your government at work. [00:07:40] This is C-SPAN, giving you your democracy unfiltered. [00:07:49] Back with us today to discuss the Iranian ceasefire is Benim Ben Taliblu. [00:07:54] He's a senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. [00:07:57] He has a background in nonproliferation.