First lady Melania Trump shares remarks in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington, April 9, 2026. Evan Vucci/Reuters
Marc Beckman, a principal advisor to the first lady Melania Trump, indicated she aimed to “clarify matters” when she issued her unexpected statement at the White House, dismissing any connections to the deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Beckman expanded on the first lady's choice to openly address the Epstein situation during a broadcast Friday morning on “Fox & Friends.”
“If she isn’t able to advocate for herself, if she cannot defend herself and ascertain that her reputation is beyond reproach, who will do it? No one has done so up to this point,” Beckman stated.
“She is equipped to engage,” he appended.
The press did not receive prior notification concerning the subject of the first lady’s Thursday declarations, wherein she asserted she never possessed any awareness of Epstein’s transgressions and that she maintained no affiliation with Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell, his co-conspirator found guilty of sex trafficking.
The first lady also appealed for open hearings into the Epstein affair and for permitting survivors to offer testimony before Congress, should they desire.
“The falsehoods associating me with the reprehensible Jeffrey Epstein must cease immediately,” Melania Trump expressed.
A representative from the first lady’s department affirmed that the West Wing was cognizant of her intention to issue a statement.
However, sources disclosed to ABC News that White House authorities were taken by surprise regarding the focus of her address, with some querying why she was commenting on the matter presently.
First lady Melania Trump delivers remarks in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington, April 9, 2026.Evan Vucci/Reuters
President Donald Trump conveyed that he was unaware the first lady intended to deliver a statement today regarding Epstein, according to an MS Now reporter who mentioned she engaged in a brief telephone exchange with the president.
Upon inquiry from ABC News for elucidation, a representative for the first lady redirected all inquiries concerning Trump’s awareness of her statement to the West Wing. Nevertheless, the White House has communicated that any inquiries pertinent to the statement should be addressed by her office.
President Trump has endeavored to divert attention from the Epstein issue, consistently branding it a “Democratic deception.” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, in a recent dialogue, affirmed that the Epstein documents subject “should not be considered going forward” at the Department of Justice.
Beckman was questioned on “Fox & Friends” concerning why Melania Trump resolved to step forward at this juncture.
“Firstly, this is sufficient. This has been ongoing and it’s time for the public to re-center their attention on the accomplishments our first lady has realized,” Beckman asserted, referencing her foster care and scholastic projects.
Beckman reiterated the first lady’s observations that fraudulent images and narratives regarding her and Epstein have been circulating for years, thus instigating her to address them — irrespective of headlines in prior weeks progressing beyond the Epstein documents.
“The first lady accomplished three objectives yesterday in relation to the detestable Epstein,” he articulated. “Initially, she vindicated her reputation. She provided clarity. She discredited all of the untruths encompassing her and Epstein. Subsequently, she emerged as a champion for these women, for the victims. Finally, thirdly, she represents a genuine leader in Washington, D.C. She is imploring Congress to act immediately.”
ABC News inquired of the White House if the president concurs with the first lady’s assertion that Epstein’s victims should testify before Congress but has not obtained a response.
A coalition of 13 Epstein survivors, as well as the brother and sister-in-law of another, accused the first lady of “transferring the responsibility onto survivors,” instead of advocating for accountability.
“Survivors have fulfilled their commitment. Presently, it is incumbent upon those in positions of authority to fulfill theirs,” they conveyed.
ABC News’ Rachel Scott and Isabella Murray added to this report.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com