Epstein Survivors Split on Melania Trump’s Call for Congressional Hearing

First lady Melania Trump stepped into a fraught spotlight this week with a public statement denying any meaningful ties to Jeffrey Epstein and urging Congress to hold a hearing focused on survivors of his abuse. “Epstein was not alone,” she declared. “I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors.”

But the reaction from Epstein survivors was far from united. A group of 15 survivors pushed back, accusing the first lady of “shifting the burden” onto victims to protect powerful figures, including the Department of Justice and the Trump administration itself. Their joint statement condemned the call for more survivor testimony as “a deflection of responsibility, not justice.”

Marina Lacerda, identified in a 2019 indictment as Minor-Victim 1, voiced skepticism about the hearing’s potential impact. “You want to retraumatize us and ask us to go in front of Congress and tell them our story, which we have told some of them already,” she said. “And then do absolutely nothing.”

Sisters Maria and Annie Farmer, both survivors, echoed the demand for “accountability, transparency, and justice” but emphasized that any government action must prioritize survivors’ wishes and follow the facts without bias.

On the other hand, Alicia Arden, who says Epstein assaulted her as a young model, welcomed the hearing and praised Melania Trump’s statement as brave. “I’m willing to testify before Congress about what Jeffrey Epstein did to me,” Arden told NPR. She stressed that speaking out helps her heal and that survivors should have the choice whether to testify.

Attorney Gloria Allred, who represents dozens of Epstein survivors, supported the idea of a hearing but warned against forcing survivors to testify. She also called on Melania Trump herself to testify, saying it would set a powerful example.

The Department of Justice reiterated its longstanding encouragement for survivors to come forward to federal law enforcement, but questions remain about the administration’s commitment to accountability. Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell remain the only high-profile figures charged despite numerous names appearing in released documents.

Members of Congress from both parties have rallied behind Melania Trump’s call, signaling potential momentum for a hearing. Yet the split among survivors underscores the complex balance between seeking justice and avoiding further harm to those already victimized.

As the debate unfolds, the key question remains: will this hearing be a meaningful step toward accountability, or just another political spectacle that leaves survivors bearing the burden once again?