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By Jenna Sundel
News Reporter
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The Department of Justice's latest release of records from its investigative files on Jeffrey Epstein contains an alleged email exchange between his former confidant and girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell and first lady Melania Trump.
In the 2002 exchange, Maxwell and the current first lady, who was not yet married to President Donald Trump at the time, allegedly discussed a story in New York magazine and travel plans. Melania also allegedly asked Maxwell to call her when Maxwell was back in New York, according to the records.
President Trump and Melania have not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the Epstein investigation.
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Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment.
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Why It Matters
Epstein, a sex offender and disgraced financier, was found dead at age 66 in New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.
Epstein had social connections with many prominent people, including President Trump and former President Bill Clinton. Neither has been accused of any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, with Trump saying his relationship with the sex offender ended years before his death.
Last year, President Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, compelling the Department of Justice to release its investigative files on Epstein.
What To Know
Melania allegedly wrote to Maxwell on October 23, 2002, "Dear G! How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture. I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time! Love, Melania"
Maxwell allegedly responded, "Sweet pea - thanks for your message. Actually plans changed again and I am now on my way back to NY. I leave again on Fri so I still do not think I have time to see you sadly. I will try and call though."
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department was releasing more than 3 million pages of documents in the latest Epstein disclosure, as well as more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images. The files posted to the Department of Justice's website include some of the several million pages of records that officials said were withheld from an initial release of documents in December.
What People Are Saying
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, in comments to reporters on Friday: “We did not protect President Trump. We didn’t protect — or not protect — anybody."
Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, in an email to Newsweek: "The DOJ said it identified over 6 million potentially responsive pages but is releasing only about 3.5 million after review and redactions. This raises questions as to why the rest are being withheld."
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