Melania Trump issued a statement from the White House on Thursday, vehemently denying any ties to Jeffrey Epstein. She characterized the accusations linking her to the convicted sex offender as mean-spirited attempts to defame her reputation.

US first lady Melania Trump gave an extraordinary statement from the White House on Thursday denying any ties to late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump said the "lies" linking her to Epstein were "mean-spirited attempts" defame her reputation.