An ex-aide to Jeffrey Epstein, who previously worked as a model and then as assistant to Epstein from 2005 to 2006, has informed the FBI that Epstein introduced Melania Trump to Donald Trump. This information was revealed in documents made public by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on January 31, 2026.
The DOJ released over three million pages of Epstein files, from which this claim emerged. In July 2019, the former assistant testified under a proffer agreement, which offers limited immunity in exchange for truthful statements, to federal prosecutors and FBI agents.
Her statement contradicts the narrative given by both Donald Trump and Melania Trump about their first meeting. In an FBI document from November 2019, she stated that Epstein introduced Melania Trump to Donald Trump while Paolo Zampolli, a modeling agent, was attempting to purchase Elite Models with Epstein’s help.
Providing false statements to the FBI can lead to a prison term of up to five years, which underscores the seriousness of the assistant’s testimony under the proffer agreement. The document shows that she received immunity to testify, but it does not detail the charges for which she was given immunity.
The generally accepted story credits Zampolli with introducing the couple at New York’s Kit Kat Club in 1998. In response to the newly released documents, the White House referred to a DOJ caution that accompanied the file release, which stated that the production might contain counterfeit or falsely submitted images, documents, or videos.
Zampolli, who was designated as a special envoy for global partnerships by Donald Trump, has always been considered the matchmaker for the Trumps. However, this recent disclosure complicates this narrative and raises questions about Epstein’s social network during the late 1990s.
The released files, which included roughly 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, were made public according to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
In October 2025, Melania Trump’s lawyer threatened a billion-dollar lawsuit against author Michael Wolff over his claims about her ties to Epstein’s social circle, and demanded Wolff retract his claims. In response, Wolff filed a preemptive anti-SLAPP lawsuit in the New York State Supreme Court on October 22, 2025, invoking free speech laws to fight against the first lady’s attempts to silence him.
The files also show Epstein’s connections with other members of Donald Trump’s circle. Steve Bannon conducted a documentary interview with Epstein in mid-2019, just before Epstein’s death. Elon Musk also exchanged emails with Epstein on Christmas Day in 2012, inquiring about parties.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was mentioned in the documents for having communicated with Epstein about a meeting in the Caribbean. These messages indicate deeper connections with Epstein than they previously admitted.
Epstein killed himself in his prison cell on August 10, 2019, while he was waiting for his trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death occurred shortly after his arrest in July 2019, around the same time when the former assistant gave her statement to federal investigators.
The DOJ warned that the released files could contain counterfeit or falsely submitted images, documents, or videos. The officials emphasized that the inclusion of information in the documents does not imply credibility or indicate any wrongdoing by the individuals named. There are thousands of references to Donald Trump, but most are forwarded media articles and mentions, not evidence of criminal behavior.
Other notable names appearing in the files include Bill Gates, Ghislaine Maxwell, Brett Ratner, and Kevin Warsh. Epstein maintained a broad network of contacts in business, entertainment, and politics. Woody Allen and Epstein exchanged text messages, and Peter Attia, a wellness influencer, was also mentioned in the files.
Katherine Keating, the daughter of former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, offered to bring her sister to an Epstein-hosted dinner party, according to the email exchanges in the files. These files show that Epstein actively sought to build relationships with the children of powerful political figures.
Survivors of Epstein’s abuse criticized the document release, stating that their identities were revealed despite the DOJ’s assurance of privacy.
The criticism grew when attorneys representing 300 survivors filed an emergency request for the DOJ to take down its website, claiming that nearly 100 victims had their identities revealed due to insufficient redactions. The DOJ then removed “several thousand documents” from its site to correct redaction failures that included victims’ names and other personal information, including nude images of young children. After her private details were exposed, one survivor reported receiving death threats.
This account from Epstein’s former assistant adds another dimension to the intricate network of relationships surrounding Epstein, who had relationships with many wealthy and influential individuals over the years. This account, given under legal protections but also under the risk of perjury, is one of thousands of pieces of evidence now available for public review as the investigation continues into Epstein’s network and actions.
