Melania has a team of lawyers ready to go, says adviser about sudden Epstein statement that even Trump was not aware of

Melania Trump's senior adviser Marc Beckman said the First Lady wants serious implications for people spreading Epstein rumors and she has a team of lawyers ready to go. The rare statement that she issued, distancing herself from sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, achieved three goals, Beckman told Fox News. “She debunked all the lies surrounding her and Epstein. Second, she became a champion for these women, for the victims, and, finally, third, she's a real leader in Washington, D.C. She's calling on Congress to act now.”Melania will keep attacking those who spread rumors about her association with Epstein, Beckman said. “There's no reason for this person to stop fighting for her dignity. She hasn't done anything wrong. She's not connected to the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein at all, and she's going to keep fighting because she has a reputation that is impeccable.” President Donald Trump told MS Now journalist Jacqueline Alemany that he did not “know anything about” his wife's statement before she began speaking. Melania did not know Epstein, Trump told Alemany. However, a person familiar with the situation told CNN that Trump was aware that Melania planned to make a statement."The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today," Melania said in the rare live address. "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.""I've 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 and Palm Beach,” Melania said, adding that she did not meet Epstein until an event in 2000 that she attended with Trump. The first lady also said she did not have a relationship with Epstein's girlfriend and alleged accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, and dismissed the importance of an email exchange between herself and Maxwell that surfaced in the Epstein files. "My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence,” Melania said. “My polite reply to her email doesn't amount to anything more than a trivial note."