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She has now placed herself squarely into the Epstein story and at odds with the administration, which wants to end the investigation.
Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesHomeNewsUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessWorld of BusinessTechnology of BusinessNYSE Opening BellTechnologyWatch DocumentariesArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindHealthWatch DocumentariesCultureWatch DocumentariesFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsWatch DocumentariesArts in MotionTravelWatch DocumentariesDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthWatch DocumentariesScienceNatural WondersClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoWatch DocumentariesBBC MaestroDiscover the WorldLiveLive NewsLive SportDocumentariesHomeNewsSportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveMelania Trump's speech propels Epstein crisis back to forefront6 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleNada TawfikNew York correspondentMelania Trump: 'I never had a relationship with Epstein'As Melania Trump walked up to the White House podium on Thursday, standing where US President Donald Trump had just over a week ago made his address to the nation on Iran, there was absolutely no indication that this would be a jaw-dropping appearance.
There was curiosity, yes, but no one guessed it would be must-see viewing. Not even those most plugged into the administration had any forewarning of the topic, according to officials.
Flanked by US flags, her first sentence jolted those listening. "The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today."
With those words, the Epstein crisis that had plagued the president was once again front and centre thanks to his wife.
Immediately, US cable channels broke away from their coverage on Iran, given the gravity of what was unfolding.
The first lady has always maintained a relatively low profile, strategically selecting her few public events. She hardly shares the same flair for the dramatic - or the desire to shock and awe the press - as her husband.
Reading from a prepared statement, she said she never had a relationship with Epstein or Maxwell, was not introduced to her husband by Epstein, and was unaware of Epstein's crimes. She ended by calling for public congressional hearings for Epstein survivors to testify to uncover the truth.
If she had stayed to answer any questions, surely the first one would have been: why did she feel the need now, seemingly out of the blue, to distance herself from the convicted sex offender and go on the record for the first time?
Rumours swirled that perhaps she was trying to get ahead of something new, given the general claims she referenced have circulated for years and she's usually relied on her lawyers to respond.
Watch: Why is Melania Trump speaking out about Epstein now?Investigative journalist Vicky Ward, who has reported on Epstein for decades, says the timing of the news conference is confusing.
"I think if Melania Trump had done this at the start of the Epstein crisis a year ago and called on Congress to put the victims on record
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