Trump Claims Epstein Victims 'Refused to Go Under Oath' as Melania Pushes for Congressional Hearings
Former President Donald Trump has made controversial remarks regarding the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse, falsely claiming they "didn't want to go under oath" when testifying to Congress. This statement comes amid a backdrop of increasing pressure from First Lady Melania Trump, who recently called for public congressional hearings specifically for the survivors.
Survivors Accuse Administration of Shifting Burden
In response to Trump's comments, survivors have expressed frustration, accusing the Trump administration of "shifting the burden" onto them. A group of 15 survivors released a statement highlighting their courage in coming forward and arguing that asking more of them now is a deflection of responsibility rather than a pursuit of justice.
Marina Lacerda, identified as "Minor-Victim 1" in a 2019 indictment, questioned the meaningfulness of such hearings in an Instagram video. "You want to retraumatize us and ask us to go in front of Congress and tell them our story, which we have told some of them already," she said. "And then do absolutely nothing."
Melania Trump's Surprise Address and Congressional Dynamics
Melania Trump's five-minute address last week denied any connections to Epstein and his crimes, condemning "unfounded and baseless lies" against her. She urged Congress to provide survivors with a public hearing, stating that each woman should have the opportunity to tell her story and have it entered into the congressional record.
Despite this, survivors like Lisa Phillips remain skeptical. Phillips told The Independent that while the opportunity to testify under oath is significant, she is uncertain about the first lady's motives, wondering if it's "a trap or whatever it is."
Legal and Political Hurdles: Bondi and DOJ Actions
The situation is further complicated by legal and political challenges. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi refused to look at Epstein survivors during her testimony to the House Judiciary Committee in February and skipped a deposition with the House Oversight Committee, leading Democrats to threaten holding her in contempt of Congress.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has indicated support for public hearings with Epstein's victims but has also sought to close the book on Epstein probes, stating that the Epstein files "should not be part of anything going forward" at the Department of Justice.
Broader Implications and Survivor Demands
Sisters Maria and Annie Farmer, who both say they were abused by Epstein, have called for "accountability, transparency and justice." They criticized the federal government for mismanaging the investigation, ignoring survivors, violating their privacy, and refusing to release remaining records.
Advocacy groups, such as World Without Exploitation, emphasize the need for transparency. Lauren Hersh from the group stated, "Pam Bondi has answers that survivors need and deserve, and it is her responsibility to be transparent about what went wrong."
As the debate continues, it remains unclear what prompted Melania Trump's address, but her call for hearings has added a new layer to the ongoing scrutiny of the Epstein case and the Trump administration's handling of it.
