Newly released documents from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation have revealed a 2002 email exchange between then-Melania Knauss and Ghislaine Maxwell, showing a friendly relationship that contrasts with the First Lady’s current legal campaign against Epstein-related claims. While the email contains no discussion of illegal activity, its tone and content differ markedly from the Trump administration’s current narrative of minimal and inconsequential contact with Epstein’s circle.
The 2002 Email: “Dear G” and Well Wishes
According to documents released by the Department of Justice, an alleged email dated 2002 shows Melania Trump (then Melania Knauss) writing to Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
The email begins, “Dear G! How are you?” and compliments a New York magazine story about Epstein, stating, “Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great in the picture.”
Melania further writes, “I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time! Love, Melania.”
Maxwell’s alleged reply indicated a change of plans and a busy schedule, saying, “Sweet pea – thanks for your message. Actually plans changed again and I am now on my way back to NY. I leave again on Fri so I still do not think I have time to see you sadly. I will try and call though.”
This correspondence was part of over three million pages released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which Congress passed in November 2025.
Aggressive Legal Pushback Against Epstein Claims
The First Lady’s office has taken an unusually aggressive stance against any suggestions of a connection to Epstein, demanding retractions and threatening massive lawsuits.
Recent Legal Actions:
· Hunter Biden: Threatened with a $1 billion lawsuit for claiming Epstein introduced Melania to Trump
· The Daily Beast: Retracted an article titled “Melania Trump ‘Very Involved’ in Epstein Scandal: Author”
· HarperCollins UK: Removed passages from a book claiming Epstein introduced the Trumps
· James Carville: Issued an apology and retracted similar claims made on a podcast
Melania’s spokesman stated: “First Lady Melania Trump’s attorneys are actively ensuring immediate retractions and apologies by those who spread malicious, defamatory falsehoods.” President Trump has supported this approach, stating he told his wife to “go forward” with legal threats against publications making such claims.
Contradictory Accounts of How the Trumps Met
The controversy centers on conflicting stories about how Donald and Melania Trump first met:
Melania’s Account:
· Met at a party at the Kit Kat Club in September 1998 during New York Fashion Week
· Introduced by someone else not Jeffrey Epstein
· Detailed in her book, “Melania”
Claims Being Challenged:
· Allegations that Epstein “facilitated” or was involved in the introduction
· Michael Wolff’s claim in his Trump biography that Epstein said “the first time Donald Trump and Melania had s*x was on his airplane”
· Suggestions that Melania was “very involved” in Trump’s friendship with Epstein
Notably, both Trumps have been photographed with Epstein and Maxwell in the past, though neither has been accused of wrongdoing related to Epstein’s crimes.
Broader Context: The Trump-Epstein Relationship
The email emerges amid renewed scrutiny of Donald Trump’s longstanding friendship with Jeffrey Epstein:
· The relationship began in the late 1980s and continued into the early 2000s
· Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet multiple times in the 1990s
· The two socialized frequently at each other’s properties, including Mar-a-Lago
· They had a falling out around 2004-2007, after which Trump banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago
The document release has become politically charged, with Democrats pressing for full transparency while the Trump administration has called interest in the files a “hoax”. President Trump had promised during his 2024 campaign to release Epstein-related documents but opposed the congressional bill before eventually signing it.
Analysis: Image Management Amid Ongoing Scrutiny
The 2002 email reveals a cordial, familiar relationship between Melania Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell at a time when both were part of overlapping social circles in New York and Palm Beach. The tone—using nicknames like “G” and “Sweet pea,” along with the “Love, Melania” sign-off—suggests more than passing acquaintance.
This contrasts with the current legal strategy of aggressively challenging any suggestion of a substantive connection to Epstein’s world. The First Lady’s office appears to be drawing a firm line between acknowledging incidental social contact (as evidenced by the email) and rejecting any narrative that places her as a meaningful participant in or beneficiary of Epstein’s social network.
The substantial resources devoted to securing retractions—including from major publishers and media outlets—indicate this issue represents a significant priority for the First Lady’s team. This approach has been largely successful in compelling removals of the contested claims from public discourse.
The Epstein document releases continue to present challenges for the Trump administration, revealing details about relationships that many powerful figures might prefer remain private. For Melania Trump, the 2002 email provides a glimpse into a social relationship that her current team is working diligently to contextualize and minimize in public perception.
The released documents contain no allegations of illegal activity by Melania Trump. The Justice Department’s ongoing releases under the Epstein Files Transparency Act continue to provide new material about the social networks of the late financier.