A newly released FBI document shows that a former assistant to Jeffrey Epstein told federal agents that Epstein introduced Donald Trump to Melania Trump. This claim goes against the story the couple has told the public for years about how they met.
According to The Daily Beast, the woman, a former model who worked for Epstein between 2005 and 2006, gave this statement to FBI agents and prosecutors in July 2019. She made the statement under a “proffer agreement,” which means she swore the information was true in exchange for limited immunity. Lying to federal agents under this agreement can result in up to five years in prison.
The information appeared in an 11-page FBI record that was released on Friday and brought to public attention on Monday. The document shows the woman was interviewed by FBI agents and prosecutors. She shared details about Epstein’s sexual assault activities and was also treated as a victim herself.
The FBI document contradicts the couple’s long-standing story
The document mentions that the woman traveled with Epstein for about a year, with her last trip being to Paris in 2006. The record also mentions Paolo Zampolli, who was Melania’s modeling agent at the time. According to the document, Zampolli was working with Epstein to acquire Elite Models. After several blacked-out lines, the document clearly states: “EPSTEIN introduced MELANIA TRUMP to DONALD TRUMP.”
This claim directly contradicts the story Trump and Melania have told for years. The official version says Zampolli introduced them at a party he hosted at the Kit Kat Club in 1998. The recent document release is part of a larger batch of Epstein files that have revealed shocking details about various public figures.
In Melania’s 2024 memoir, she wrote that she saw her friend wave at someone, and when she turned around, she saw “a man and an attractive blonde woman approaching us.” She continued: “‘Hi. I’m Donald Trump,’ the man said when he reached my table. ‘Nice to meet you.'” She described his “curiosity and interest” as he sat next to her.
Trump talked about their first meeting in a 2005 interview. He said he was supposed to meet a “great supermodel” sitting next to Melania. He said he told someone, “Forget about her. Who’s the one on the left?” and that person was Melania. The newly released documents have exposed communications between Epstein and other prominent individuals, adding more context to his social network.
The White House has strongly rejected this new claim. Officials pointed to a recent Department of Justice warning that stated the released files might contain “untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump” submitted to the FBI before the 2020 election. The White House called the claims “unfounded and false.”
Trump himself said in April 2025 that Epstein had “nothing to do” with introducing them. He said, “I can tell you exactly how it was: It was another person, actually. I did meet [her] through another person, but it wasn’t Jeffrey Epstein.” Melania has been fighting legal battles related to these claims.
Last year, she threatened to sue biographer Michael Wolff for $1 billion after he claimed she was “very involved” in Epstein’s social circle. Wolff sued her back, citing free speech laws, and she is trying to get his lawsuit dismissed. She also threatened to sue Hunter Biden for $1 billion after he mentioned Wolff’s claims in an interview.
Published: Feb 3, 2026 02:30 pm