Melania Trump denies ties with convicted paedophile Epstein

US First Lady Melania Trump has made a surprise statement denying any knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse, or that she herself was a victim of the convicted sex offender. The 55-year-old's rare on-camera remarks at the White House on Thursday came out of the blue, in an extraordinary intervention in a scandal that has long haunted her husband, President Donald Trump. "The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today," she said. "The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect."