Epstein survivors touch upon Melania Trump assertion : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5589x3726+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2F34%2F7d15dc35429485bf34926822bffc%2Fgettyimages-2270624257.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5589x3726+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2F34%2F7d15dc35429485bf34926822bffc%2Fgettyimages-2270624257.jpg" class="img" alt="First lady Melania Trump delivers a statement at the Grand Foyer of the White House on April 9, 2026 in Washington, D.C." fetchpriority="high"/> First girl Melania Trump delivers an announcement on the Grand Lobby of the White Home on April 9, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Alex Wong/Getty Pictures disguise caption

toggle caption

Alex Wong/Getty Pictures After a shock public assertion from first girl Melania Trump denying that she had significant ties to Jeffrey Epstein and calling for a congressional listening to, survivors of the late intercourse offender's abuse have voiced combined opinions on the assertion.

On the White Home on Thursday, Trump mentioned that she was not a sufferer of Epstein, that she didn't know of his crimes, and that he didn't introduce her to President Trump. She went on to name Congress to take additional motion.

"Epstein was not alone," she mentioned. "I name on Congress to supply the ladies who've been victimized by Epstein with a public listening to particularly centered across the survivors. Give these victims their alternative to testify below oath in entrance of Congress."

In an announcement to NPR, the Division of Justice mentioned: "As we have now at all times acknowledged, we encourage any victims of Jeffrey Epstein — who want to converse — to contact the FBI. Any survivor who has info on an abuser is inspired to contact federal legislation enforcement."

In a while Thursday, a bunch of 15 survivors of Epstein's abuse launched an announcement saying that the primary girl is now "shifting the burden" onto survivors to guard folks with energy, together with the Division of Justice, legislation enforcement, prosecutors and the Trump administration.

"Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have already proven extraordinary braveness by coming ahead, submitting studies, and giving testimony," the assertion learn. "Asking extra of them now's a deflection of accountability, not justice."

The White Home didn't instantly reply to NPR's questions on whether or not they had a response to some survivors' criticisms or why the primary girl was talking out now.

Among the many survivors who signed the assertion was Marina Lacerda, who was recognized in a 2019 indictment in opposition to Epstein as Minor-Sufferer 1. She additionally posted a video on Instagram shortly after the primary girl's press convention questioning whether or not a listening to would produce something significant.

"You need to retraumatize us and ask us to go in entrance of Congress and inform them our story, which we have now advised a few of them already," Lacerda mentioned. "After which do completely nothing."

In a separate assertion, sisters Maria and Annie Farmer, who each have mentioned they have been abused by Epstein, mentioned they need "accountability, transparency, and justice."

"If the federal authorities is actually dedicated to supporting survivors, it might ask us what we wish and will comply with the info wherever they might lead," the assertion mentioned.

However Alicia Arden, who says Epstein assaulted her in a lodge when she was a younger mannequin, advised NPR she needs to testify. She additionally mentioned she thought it was courageous of Melania Trump to make an announcement.

"I am prepared to testify earlier than Congress about what Jeffrey Epstein did to me and the way I used to be attacked within the room," Arden mentioned.

The Justice Division has launched thousands and thousands of pages of paperwork tied to Epstein, his private life, his connections, his crimes and other people inside his inside circle. In these recordsdata are plenty of references to President Trump. An NPR investigation in February discovered that paperwork naming the president have been withheld from the recordsdata, a few of which have been later revealed. Epstein and Maxwell, to date, are the one people listed within the recordsdata — the place many excessive profile individuals are named — who've confronted felony expenses.

Arden mentioned that "every thing has at all times wanted to return out in regards to the recordsdata" and that details about Epstein's crimes must proceed reaching the general public. She mentioned whether or not different survivors additionally need to testify is "fully their selection."

"In the event that they really feel prefer it's a burden to them, then they do not need to," Arden mentioned. "I do not really feel prefer it's a burden on me. It helps me to maintain speaking about it."

Arden filed a police report earlier than Epstein was indicted in 2006. She mentioned that wanting again, she nonetheless cannot consider she went via with it.

"I used to be so scared and I am actually completely satisfied that I did it as a result of everybody's completely satisfied that I did it now as a result of it is on file," Arden mentioned. "The opposite victims that did not get to do it, I did it for them.

"I hope that we get to testify earlier than Congress," Arden continued. "If Melania wish to be with us, I feel that may be good and useful if we have been … testifying subsequent to her."

The White Home didn't reply to NPR's query on whether or not the primary girl was contemplating this.

Gloria Allred, an lawyer who has represented 27 survivors of Epstein's abuse together with Arden, mentioned she was glad that the primary girl made the assertion. She mentioned that she helps a listening to however that survivors shouldn't be subpoenaed to testify.

"I do not assume anybody survivor and even anybody lawyer ought to determine this for everybody as a result of there reportedly are over a thousand survivors," Allred mentioned. "It is time for them to have management over their very own selections."

Neither Allred nor Arden mentioned they'd heard from members of Congress about particular plans to have a listening to. Allred additionally known as on Melania Trump to testify, saying it might be a "highly effective instance."

"What number of shall be prepared to testify if that listening to comes? I do not know," Allred mentioned. "I do not know if they'll even really feel that they'll belief the system anymore."

Members of Congress from each events are rallying behind Melania Trump's name to motion.

California Rep. Robert Garcia, the highest Democrat on the Home Oversight Committee, mentioned he agrees with having a public listening to for Epstein's victims. He known as on Kentucky Republican Rep. James Comer, the chairman of the committee, to "schedule a public listening to instantly."

"We encourage Chairman Comer to reply to the First Woman's request and schedule a public listening to instantly," Garcia mentioned.

Comer didn't reply to NPR's request for remark.

South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace recommended the primary girl's assertion. She wrote in an announcement, "As a survivor, this is not political, it is private and when the First Woman of the US stands up and calls for justice for Epstein's victims, it's actually momentous."