Melania Trump on Ghislaine Maxwell: Confronted & Response

First lady Melania Trump faced an unexpected question regarding Ghislaine Maxwell’s alleged preferential treatment in prison during a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 4. The inquiry arose as she appeared alongside Keith and Aviva Siegel, American-Israeli hostages recently freed from Hamas captivity.

Hostage Celebration Interrupted by Maxwell Inquiry

The first lady was pressed on allegations of special treatment for convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell while honoring the Siegels’ release.

• Melania Trump was questioned about Ghislaine Maxwell’s prison conditions while celebrating the release of hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel.
• The questioning stemmed from whistleblower claims that Maxwell receives perks like customized meals and exclusive access to recreational areas.
• Maxwell, convicted in 2021 for her role in Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, is currently serving a 20-year sentence in Bryan, Texas.
• The Siegels, released after being held by Hamas, shared their emotional story of survival and freedom.
• Trump deflected the question, emphasizing the importance of honoring the released hostages.

The event spotlighted Keith Siegel’s release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, occurring a year ago—over 480 days after his abduction from Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023. His wife, Aviva, was also captured and later released during a temporary cease-fire in November 2023, according to the Associated Press.

During the appearance with the Siegels, a reporter asked, “There’s a call from many Epstein survivors that Ghislaine Maxwell move to a high security prison. Do you know why that happened?” Trump responded, “We are here celebrating the release and the life of these two incredible people, so let’s honor that.”

The push for Maxwell’s transfer to a higher-security facility follows allegations from a whistleblower that she has been receiving special treatment behind bars. Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have stated that Maxwell is allegedly being catered to by prison staff.

Lawmakers allege in a press release that staff are attending to Maxwell’s needs “hand and foot.” According to the whistleblower, Maxwell receives customized meals prepared and personally delivered by longtime federal employees.

Further allegations include Maxwell being granted access to recreation areas outside of normal hours and her visitors enjoying a cordoned-off area with snacks and refreshments.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania alongside Jefferey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Davidoff Studios/Getty

In one instance, the whistleblower claims an inmate who trains puppies was instructed to allow Maxwell to play with one, despite a general prohibition on petting service dogs in training.

Previously, NBC News and CBS News reported that Maxwell was seeking a commutation of her sentence from President Donald Trump.

During the event, Melania Trump mentioned that a previous meeting with the Siegels is featured in her new documentary, Melania. “After Aviva was freed, she called me, wanted to see me and we set up a meeting in New York,” she said while seated with the Siegels in the White House’s Blue Room. “It was an emotional meeting, and it is captured on camera and available to see in my film, Melania.”

When a reporter questioned whether it was appropriate to use an official White House event to promote the reported $40 million Amazon MGM Studios documentary, she retorted, “This is not a promotion.”

“We are here celebrating the release of the hostages, of Aviva and Keith,” Melania continued. “They were in Washington, D.C., and they called me. They said they would like to come over to thank me and to give hugs, and that’s why we are here. It’s nothing to do with promotion.”

Melania is currently in theaters.