Biographer Michael Wolff Claims Melania Trump Was "Very Involved" in Jeffrey Epstein's Social Circle Before Meeting Donald Trump
Recent claims by author Michael Wolff, known for his biographies of Donald Trump, have reignited speculation about Melania Trump's alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein's social circle and how she met Donald Trump. These claims come amidst renewed public interest in the Epstein files, following recent revelations.
Michael Wolff's Assertions:
Speaking on The Daily Beast podcast on July 27, 2025, Wolff, a long-time biographer of Donald Trump, asserted that Melania Trump (then Melania Knauss) was "very involved" in Jeffrey Epstein's social circle when she was first introduced to Donald Trump in 1998. Wolff directly suggested that Epstein played a key role in facilitating their introduction.
According to Wolff, the connection was made through Paolo Zampolli, founder of ID Models, a figure instrumental in helping Melania Knauss immigrate to the United States. Zampolli reportedly had ties to both Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. Wolff stated, "She's introduced by a model agent, both of whom Trump and Epstein are involved with… Epstein knew her well." He further raised questions about Melania's alleged ties to what he described as a "culture of models of indeterminate age."
Melania Trump's Counter-Narrative:
Melania Trump has consistently and strongly denied any connection to Jeffrey Epstein. Her consistent account maintains that she met Donald Trump in September 1998 at the Kit Kat Klub in New York City, where she had gone with a friend. In her memoir, she describes how Trump, who was already twice divorced, was there with a date but chose to spend the evening talking to her, a conversation she found "a refreshing departure from the usual superficial small talk."
Conflicting Accounts and Evidence Fueling Speculation:
Despite Melania Trump's firm denials, several pieces of information continue to fuel public discussion and media scrutiny:
Photo from 2000: A widely circulated photograph from February 2000 shows Donald and Melania at Mar-a-Lago alongside Jeffrey Epstein and his long-time associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Epstein's Alleged Claim: Jeffrey Epstein himself reportedly once claimed that he was the one who introduced the couple.
Epstein's Contact Book and Flight Logs: Records indicate Donald Trump's name appeared multiple times on flight logs for Epstein's private plane between 1993 and 1997. Additionally, both Donald and Melania Trump's phone numbers were found in Epstein's infamous leaked address books.
Donald Trump's Past Comments: Donald Trump was publicly known to be friendly with Epstein during the 1990s and early 2000s. In a notable 2002 interview with New York Magazine, Trump described Epstein as a "terrific guy" who was "a lot of fun to be with" and explicitly stated, "he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."
Broader Context:
The re-emergence of these claims comes as the public and media continue their intense scrutiny of Jeffrey Epstein's extensive network. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, had ties to numerous prominent figures, and the recent public release of court documents related to his activities has intensified calls for transparency regarding his associates.
The Trump campaign has reportedly issued strong denials regarding Wolff's claims, calling him a "liar." The ongoing discrepancies between official accounts and these new allegations ensure the topic remains a subject of considerable public discussion and media attention.
