A Jeffrey Epstein victim has questioned the motives behind Melania Trump's recent statements about the late child trafficker.
'Retraumatize Us': Epstein Survivor Blasts Melania Trump's Denial Speech
April 10 2026, Published 11:40 a.m. ET
After months of speculations regarding Melania Trump’s alleged ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the first lady has finally addressed the rumors.
The 55-year-old recently gave a statement at the White House, where she denied having any connection with Epstein or the crimes that he had committed.
Following this, an Epstein survivor has publicly criticized both the timing of the first lady's remarks and her suggestion that survivors testify before the Congress.
'Will People Be Held Accountable?'
Epstein survivor Marina Lacerda posts a video on Instagram calling out Melania Trump.
Marina Lacerda, one of Epstein’s victims, took to her Instagram account and posted a video message condemning Melania for her speech and questioned the intent behind the latter's public statement.
Lacerda said that the photographs of the first lady and the disgraced financier circulating online came from the Epstein files and expressed doubt that they were fake or fabricated.
The survivor remarked, “Those pictures came from the Epstein files, so it can’t be AI because AI was not invented back then, so we know that, so I don’t know how they are fake.” Lacerda also addressed Melania's proposal to have the Epstein survivors testify in a public congressional hearing.
Referring to the same, Lacerda said, “We are supposed to testify in front of Congress under oath. For what? Tell us why. Will it change anything? Will people be held accountable?”
She noted that the Epstein Transparency Act had already been passed and the files had been made public, including the names contained within them.
Lacerda pointed out that no one named in the files had been arrested yet, and claimed that the first lady wants to “retraumatize” the victims by presenting them in front of the Congress.
She said, “So now you want us to tell them again, under oath, and retraumatize us and then do absolutely nothing?”
She called it a “[expletive] idea,” and added, “It sounds like you’re just trying to shift attention from something to something else. So, how does this benefit the Trump family, is my question.”
Internet Reacts to Epstein Victim’s Comments on Melania’s Speech
Lacerda has been one of the most vocal Epstein survivors and has publicly spoken about her traumatic experience in various interviews. She was also among those who advocated for played an active role in getting the Transparency Act passed successfully.
When she posted the Instagram video, netizens came forward and supported her stance. One user wrote, “A set up. Always is. To address everyone, abruptly, NOW?! War or Not. We Know!” Another user chimed in, saying, “PANIC IN THE WH.”
An individual added, “She had a relationship with Epstein and this is also how Melania met Trump.”
Another user commented, “No staff behind her… no warning that the speech was happening… and Trump seems to be losing his [expletive]… She’s distancing herself because he’s dying.” Someone else stated, “Survivors will survive, liars will not. Stay strong.”