Melania Trump adviser speaks on what led to her surprise Epstein statement
A senior adviser to first lady Melania Trump, Marc Beckman, said she wanted to "set the record straight" when she delivered her surprise statement at the White House denying any ties to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Beckman elaborated on the first lady's decision to publicly address the Epstein controversy during an appearance Friday morning on "Fox & Friends."
"If she can't stick up for herself, if she can't defend herself and make sure that her reputation is impeccable, who will do it? Nobody's done it to date," Beckman said.
"She's ready to fight," he added.
The press was not given advance notice on the topic of the first lady's Thursday remarks, in which she said she never had any knowledge of Epstein's crimes and that she had no relationship with Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell, his co-conspirator who was convicted of sex trafficking.
The first lady also called for public hearings into the Epstein controversy and to allow survivors to testify before Congress if they wish to do so.
"The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today," Melania Trump said.
A spokesperson for the first lady's office said the West Wing was aware she would make a statement.
But sources told ABC News that White House officials were caught off guard by the topic of her address, with some questioning why she was commenting on the subject now.
President Donald Trump said he did not know the first lady was going to make a statement today about Epstein, according to an MS Now reporter who said she had a brief phone interview with the president.
Asked by ABC News for clarification, a spokesperson for the first lady directed any questions about Trump’s knowledge about her statement to the West Wing. But the White House has said any questions related to the statement should come from her office.
President Trump has tried to shift focus away from the Epstein controversy, repeatedly calling it a "Democratic hoax." Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, in a recent interview, said the Epstein files matter "should not be a part of anything going forward" at the Department of Justice.
Beckman was asked on "Fox & Friends" why Melania Trump decided to come forward at this moment.
"First, enough is enough. This has been ongoing and it's time for the public to refocus their attention on what achievements our first lady has done," Beckman said, pointing to her foster care and education initiatives.
Beckman echoed the first lady's comments that fake images and stories about her and Epstein have circulated for years, prompting her to come out and address them -- despite headlines in recent weeks moving on from the Epstein files.
"The first lady accomplished three things yesterday as it relates to the disgraceful Epstein," he said. "First, she cleared her record. She set the record straight. She debunked all of the lies surrounding her and Epstein. Second, she became a champion for these women, for the victims. Finally, third, she is a real leader in Washington, D.C. She is calling on Congress to act now."
ABC News asked the White House if the president agrees with the first lady that Epstein's victims should testify before Congress but has not gotten a response.
A group of 13 Epstein survivors and the brother and sister-in-law of another accused the first lady of "shifting the burden onto survivors," rather than pushing for accountability.
"Survivors have done their part. Now it’s time for those in power to do theirs," they said.
ABC News' Rachel Scott and Isabella Murray contributed to this report.
