Melania Trump denies ties to Epstein in White House video

The United States' first lady, Melania Trump, on Thursday denied having ever maintained a friendship with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. "The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today," she read from a prepared statement in an address from the White House. Melania Trump said that she only came into contact from having overlapping social circles. "I never been friends with Epstein. Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to ‌time, since overlapping in social circles is common in New York City," she said. She also denied having had any relationship with Epstein's accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. "To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell." This is a developing news story. Please refresh the page for updates.