A fresh wave of Jeffrey Epstein scandal allegations has erupted around First Lady Melania Trump, directly contradicting her April 2026 public denial of any involvement with the late convicted sex trafficker.
A former associate has dropped explosive claims that Melania Trump was an “escort” for Jeffrey Epstein and that the disgraced financier — not modeling agent Paolo Zampolli — introduced her to Donald Trump. These bombshell Melania Trump Epstein allegations come from a now-deleted WhatsApp recording and X post by Amanda Ungaro, fueling renewed Epstein files scrutiny and Lolita Express discussions in 2026.
Melania Trump’s April 2026 White House Epstein Denial
In April, Melania Trump held a surprise press conference in the White House Cross Hall. She forcefully denied being Jeffrey Epstein’s victim or accomplice, rejected claims he introduced her to Donald Trump, and stated she had “never had any knowledge” of his crimes against victims.
She said overlapping New York and Palm Beach social circles occasionally put them at the same events, but emphasized: “I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims. I was never involved in any capacity. I was not a participant, was never on Epstein’s plane and never visited his private island.”
She called on Congress to hold public hearings with Epstein victims to expose the full network. The statement came amid ongoing Epstein files releases and speculation about high-profile connections.
President Trump later told MS NOW’s Jacqueline Alemany he “didn’t know anything about” her statement beforehand and that “she didn’t know [Epstein].”
The New Bombshell Claim: Amanda Ungaro’s Recording
Months later, former Brazilian model Amanda Ungaro released a taped WhatsApp recording accusing her ex-partner, Paolo Zampolli, of lying about introducing Melania and Donald Trump in 1998.
In the recording (later posted and deleted on X), Ungaro allegedly said: “Let’s tell the public you never was the one introducing Melania to Trump. It was Jeffrey Epstein, as she was escort of Jeffrey Epstein. That’s how she met Donald Trump. And I know, because I was with you 20 years and you always told me it was not you — it was Jeffrey Epstein.”
She framed it as Zampolli “covering” for Melania Trump (and vice versa) after he received a powerful Trump administration role. The post has since been deleted, but the recording has circulated widely, sparking fresh Melania Trump Epstein connection headlines and Epstein scandal discussions.
Who Is Amanda Ungaro? Her Own Jeffrey Epstein and Lolita Express Ties
Amanda Ungaro, now in her early 40s, is a Brazilian former model who worked with agencies including Ford, Karin, and ID Models. She was in a long-term relationship with Paolo Zampolli for about 20 years and they share a teenage son (now around 16). Their split led to a bitter custody battle.
Critically, Ungaro has her own documented link to the Jeffrey Epstein world. In June 2002, at age 17, she flew from Paris to New York on Epstein’s private jet — the infamous “Lolita Express” — accompanied by her then-agent, French modeling scout Jean-Luc Brunel (later accused of recruiting young women for Epstein). She has described seeing dozens of very young girls on the flight.
Ungaro and Zampolli moved in elite circles overlapping with the Trumps and were photographed together at Mar-a-Lago events over the years. She has claimed she witnessed “highly compromising interactions” over two decades and has said she would be willing to testify before Congress about Epstein’s crimes.
Paolo Zampolli’s Strong Denial and Trump Administration Role
Paolo Zampolli, a longtime Trump ally and former modeling agent, now serves as Special Envoy for Global Partnerships and sits on the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees. In response to Ungaro’s claims, he told The Daily Beast: “I think it is a disgrace that she dares to say this about our marvelous first lady. I’m truly concerned for her health, and I think she truly needs some therapy.”
He has maintained that he personally introduced Melania (then Knauss) to Donald Trump at a 1998 New York Fashion Week party.
The Bitter Custody Battle, ICE Deportation, and Influence Allegations
Ungaro’s allegations come against the backdrop of a highly contentious custody fight. She has publicly accused Zampolli of leveraging his political connections in the Trump orbit to influence U.S. immigration authorities (ICE) during her detention and eventual deportation to Brazil in 2025.
The New York Times reported on communications in which Zampolli allegedly contacted ICE officials about her immigration status while the custody dispute was ongoing. Zampolli has denied wrongdoing. Ungaro was arrested in Florida on fraud-related charges at her workplace before being transferred to ICE custody.
This personal and legal feud has become intertwined with the broader Jeffrey Epstein narrative and Epstein files scrutiny.
Official Story vs. Allegation: How Melania Trump Actually Met Donald Trump
The long-standing public account — confirmed in Melania Trump’s own memoir and by Zampolli — is that they met in September 1998 at a New York Fashion Week party hosted by Paolo Zampolli at the Kit Kat Klub. Donald Trump was on a date with someone else at the time. Melania reportedly asked for his number instead of giving hers, testing whether he would share personal contact details.
They began dating, married in 2005, and have one son, Barron. Melania Trump has consistently said her first encounter with Jeffrey Epstein was in 2000 at an event she attended with Trump — after she had already met her future husband.
Publicly released Epstein files and flight logs have mentioned Donald Trump on a small number of early Lolita Express flights (mostly short Palm Beach–New York routes in the 1990s), but there is no credible public evidence placing Melania Trump on the plane, at the island, or in any criminal context. Trump has said he later banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago after an alleged incident involving a young woman.
Why These Jeffrey Epstein Allegations Matter Now (High-Stakes Epstein Files Context)
The timing is significant. Melania Trump’s April statement came shortly after Ungaro began speaking out publicly following her deportation. Ongoing Epstein files releases, congressional interest in victim testimony, and high-profile names connected to the modeling world have kept the scandal in the headlines throughout 2026.
Ungaro’s claims — while sensational — remain unverified allegations from one party in a bitter personal and legal dispute. No independent evidence or corroborating witnesses have been presented publicly to support the “escort” or introduction claims. All named parties (Melania Trump, Donald Trump, and Paolo Zampolli) have strongly denied them.
Bottom Line on the Latest Melania Trump Epstein Bombshell
This latest chapter in the Jeffrey Epstein saga mixes serious unproven allegations, a messy custody battle, powerful political connections, and the enduring public fascination with the Epstein files and Lolita Express network.
Whether these specific claims hold up under scrutiny remains to be seen. What is clear is that the Epstein scandal continues to generate new headlines, demands for transparency, and intense political fallout well into the second Trump term.
For now, the story rests on a deleted recording, strong denials, and the complex personal history between the individuals involved. As more Epstein files surface and potential congressional hearings loom, this Melania Trump Epstein controversy is unlikely to fade quietly.