More than a dozen survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse have accused Melania Trump of “shifting the burden” onto victims after she called on Congress to hold public hearings with people abused by Epstein.
The backlash came after the first lady’s statement urging lawmakers to hear directly from survivors. In response, a group of 13 people, along with the brother and sister of the late Virginia Giuffre, said the idea puts more pressure on those who have already spoken out.
Giuffre was one of the most vocal accusers of Epstein.
“Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have already shown extraordinary courage by coming forward, filing reports, and giving testimony,” the group said in a statement. “Asking more of them now is a deflection of responsibility not justice.”
The statement reflects growing anger among survivors who say the focus should remain on accountability for those responsible, rather than asking victims to continue carrying the emotional and public burden of the case.
Melania Trump’s appeal for public hearings centered on bringing survivors into the congressional process. But the survivors’ response made clear they view that request as misplaced, arguing that they have already done enough to help expose Epstein’s abuse.
The dispute adds another layer to the long-running public debate over how authorities and lawmakers should address the Epstein scandal and the experiences of those who survived it.
