The Iran War Distracted Us From Epstein; Can Melania Distract Us From the War?

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A few weeks ago, there were some who felt that part of the reason Donald Trump and Israel attacked Iran was that both had an interest in distracting the public from the Epstein files. Now, cynics may wonder whether First Lady Melania Trump’s surprise statement on her husband’s former pal and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell might just serve to divert attention from a war that hasn’t worked out as planned.

It is unclear why she felt compelled to step in front of the cameras on Thursday or even what she was talking about.

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” the first lady said at the onset of her remarks. “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility, and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather, I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.”

There has been no recent news that would trigger such a statement.

When the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a slew of files related to Epstein earlier this year, the documents included an email that the first lady sent to Maxwell in 2002. In it, Melania Trump commented on the now-infamous article from New York Magazine in which the president said his then-friend was “a lot of fun to be with” and left no doubt that he knew that the financier liked beautiful women “on the younger side.”

However, the email, which begins with “Dear G,” ends with “Love, Melania,” and asks Maxwell to get in touch when she returns to New York City, is a harmless correspondence between two people who clearly knew each other socially. There is nothing that should be construed as indicating that she was aware of Epstein’s crimes.

The first lady emphasized that in her brief statement.

“To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell,” she stated. “My email reply to Maxwell 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.”

Which makes Melania Trump’s appearance so puzzling because, clearly, her husband has no interest in seeing the Epstein matter return to the headlines.

And the first lady went beyond simply defending herself from accusations that nobody is making.

Although there was that, too.

“I am not a witness or a named witness in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes. My name has never appeared in court documents, depositions, victim statements, or FBI interviews surrounding the Epstein matter,” she stated.

To our knowledge, that seems to be true. Of course, her husband’s name appears all over the Epstein files, including in witness statements and FBI interviews (that DOJ at first “forgot” to disclose).

“I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims. I was never involved in any capacity — I was not a participant, was never on Epstein’s plane, and never visited his private island,” Melania Trump added. “I have never been legally accused or convicted of a crime in connection with Epstein’s sex trafficking, abuse of minors, and other repulsive behavior.”

Again, it is a bit weird that she felt the need to say all of this. There is no indication that a credible publication has a story in the works that may say otherwise.

The first lady didn’t stop there.

She also called on Congress to act even though its GOP leaders have largely been reluctant to do so.

“Epstein was not alone. Several prominent male executives resigned from their powerful positions after this matter became widely politicized,” the first lady said. “Of course, this doesn’t amount to guilt, but we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth.”

Of course, it’s not really the role of Congress to do so but rather that of DOJ, which has been more interested in shielding the president than investigating the matter.

“I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors,” Melania Trump said. “Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress, with the power of sworn testimony. 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.”

Well, sure, that would be good. However, it would be even better if DOJ did its job. In that regard, Melania Trump’s decision to wade into the scandal of Epstein’s crimes and the subsequent cover-up will make things more difficult for new acting Attorney General Todd Blanche since those who are demanding disclosure and accountability can now point to the first lady’s support.

Like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), perhaps her husband’s greatest foe in Congress, who pointed out that he and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) have already given the survivors of Epstein’s crimes an opportunity to tell their stories.

“First Lady asks Congress to bring Epstein survivors in for testimony,” Massie stated. “With all due respect, that’s [Blanche’s] job.”

He wasn’t the only one.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who also demanded on Thursday that Blanche’s recently fired predecessor Pam Bondi honor a congressional subpoena and testify in the House about the Epstein files, noted that it is a big deal that Melania Trump is getting involved.

“As a survivor, this isn’t political, it’s personal,” she said. “And when the First Lady of the United States stands up and demands justice for Epstein’s victims, it is truly momentous.”