Melania Trump denies ties to Jeffrey Epstein and urges hearing for survivors

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3ex07l1qvpo

First Lady Melania Trump has denied connections to Jeffrey Epstein, telling reporters at the White House that any claims linking the two "need to end today".

In a surprise announcement on Thursday, the first lady called for congressional hearings for survivors of Epstein's sex trafficking.

She also denied online rumours that Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump, calling them "mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation".

It is unclear what prompted the announcement.

The intervention has produced a mixed response from Epstein survivors. One survivor, Lisa Phillips, described the statement as a "bold move" but questioned what more the first lady could do to support Epstein's accusers.

There was no prior indication from her office that she would make a statement on Epstein, and the White House did not share the topic earlier when her remarks were put on its daily schedule.