How did Melania meet Donald? Her story behind legal threats on Epstein

• First lady Melania Trump vehemently denied any friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
• She says she met Donald Trump at a Fashion Week party in 1998, not through Epstein.
• Melania Trump has previously threatened lawsuits against those who claim Epstein introduced her to her husband.

First lady Melania Trump made a surprise announcement on April 9, vehemently denying any friendship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

"The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today," she said at the White House. "The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect."

She referenced her email reply to Epstein's ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, which she called "casual correspondence." She also called on Congress to give Epstein survivors a chance to testify publicly, as "every woman should have her day to tell her story in public if she wishes."

The first lady has not been accused of wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. But some people have said Epstein introduced President Donald Trump to Melania Trump. She denies this and has threatened lawsuits against people like Hunter Biden who have said it publicly.

So how did the couple meet? Here is what she says:

How did Melania and Donald Trump meet?

First lady Melania Trump referred to the account of her meeting her now husband as she tells it in her 2024 memoir, "Melania."

Here is what it says:

Chapter 5: “Hi, I’m Donald Trump.”

On a Friday night in September 1998, as I settled into the comfort of my New York City apartment after a whirlwind trip to Paris, my phone rang. It was a friend of mine.

“My boyfriend is throwing a party at the Kit Kat Klub tomorrow night,” she said. “Please come. We haven’t seen each other in so long.”

“I just got back from Paris,” I said.

“Please, it will be fun. A lot of people will be there. We’ll pick you up.”

While I was tired and jetlagged, I loved the idea that my weekend was about to be filled with the company of friends.

I have always been selective in how I choose to spend my time and where I put my energy. A late-night party at the club was not my top choice for a Saturday evening. I much preferred staying in, watching a film, or going to dinner with close friends. Though I didn’t shy away from social gatherings, clubs were simply not my cup of tea.

I accepted the invitation anyway; after all, it was Fashion Week — a time of glamour and sophistication. I was actually looking forward to mingling with industry insiders and trendsetters.

When I stepped into the sleek black limo my friend arrived in, I felt like a celebrity en route to a gala. As we arrived at the Kit Kat Klub, the energy of the crowd and the dazzling lights greeted us. Inside, the dark, crowded space buzzed with models, photographers, editors, and designers mingling in this Fashion Week Saturday night. I settled in upstairs at our table in the VIP section, where the atmosphere was one of sophistication and camaraderie. Some guests danced, while others engaged in lively conversation, and we were all enjoying ourselves.

I saw my friend wave at someone behind me. When I turned around, I noticed a man and an attractive blonde woman approaching us.

“Hi, I’m Donald Trump,” the man said when he reached my table. “Nice to meet you.” I recognized the name, and I knew he was a businessman or celebrity, but not much else. He put his hand out to shake mine.

“Hello,” I replied. “I’m Melania.”

His eyes filled with curiosity and interest, and, seizing the opportunity, he took the seat next to mine and started a conversation. He asked me about my time in New York, my Slovenian home, and my world travels. It was a moment of connection, a brief encounter that left a lasting impression. It was nice to make a new acquaintance.

He was accompanied by a beautiful date, so I initially dismissed our conversation as mere pleasantries exchanged at an industry event. The music was loud, and the crowd boisterous, making it difficult to truly connect with someone.

From the moment our conversation began, I was captivated by his charm and easygoing nature. There was so much bustling activity around us, but his intent focus on our interaction made me feel like the center of his world. It was a refreshing departure from the usual superficial small talk, and I found myself drawn to his magnetic energy.

At her address on April 9, she went on to say the first time she encountered Epstein was in 2000 at an event she attended with Trump.

Hunter Biden one target of legal threats over different intro story

In August, Melania Trump threatened to sue Hunter Biden for more than $1 billion if he didn't retract his claim that Epstein introduced Donald and Melania, which he had said in a YouTube interview on "Channel 5." Biden said in a follow-up video, “F--- that. That’s not going to happen."

In the wake of the first lady's comments, Biden said he would join a cage fight with Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump if organized by Andrew Callaghan, a filmmaker and content creator behind "Channel 5."

Other outlets and creators that reported Epstein introduced the couple also received notices from Trump's lawyer and issued apologies and retractions as a result.

Biden in his interview that prompted the legal threat cited Michael Wolff, the author of several Trump books. Wolff himself was threatened with a lawsuit when he discussed Epstein's relationship with the Trumps. But Wolff sued Melania Trump in October, saying her threatened lawsuit was intended to intimidate and silence him.

Court records show Melania Trump has moved to dismiss the case, with one filing calling the complaint "frivolous."

An attorney representing Wolff in the lawsuit did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the first lady's recent appearance.

Why did Melania speak on Epstein now?

The first lady's statement was surprising as she rarely gives public addresses. But also, the controversy over Epstein has plagued the Trump administration for months, but public discussion about it has died down since the Department of Justice announced it had completed the release of the files compelled by the Epstein Files Transparency Act earlier this year.

Trump senior adviser Marc Beckman said the first lady "spoke out now because enough is enough."

"The lies must stop. It is time for the public and media to focus on her incredible achievements as first lady,” Beckman added.

The president told MS NOW in an interview he did not know the statement was coming.

Contributing: Zac Anderson, Christopher Cann, Josh Meyer, James Powel, USA TODAY

Transparency Note: Michael Wolff was a freelance contributor to USA TODAY from 2012 through early 2017, when the company operated as Gannett. Current USA TODAY leadership has no knowledge of any actions involving Wolff and Jeffrey Epstein, beyond his submitted published work. We are committed to integrity and transparency, as we uphold our editorial standards and maintain the trust of our readers.

Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on X (Twitter), Threads, Bluesky and Threads.