Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse have publicly criticised first lady Melania Trump after she made a surprise call for a public hearing. The response came as part of the wider US politics live coverage on Friday, 10 April 2026.
In a statement reported in the live blog, the first lady said a public hearing should be held for survivors. But a group of those affected pushed back, saying they have already “done their part.”
The survivors also repeated their demand that Pam Bondi be questioned. Their comments reflect ongoing pressure around how the Epstein case has been handled and who should be called to account.
The live update did not add further details about the proposed hearing or the circumstances of Melania Trump’s statement, but the reaction from survivors was clear: they want questioning focused on Bondi and are asking not to be sidelined after speaking publicly about their experiences.
The item appeared alongside other breaking political and international updates, including coverage of tensions in the Middle East. A note in the live blog pointed readers to a separate dedicated live blog for that region, where colleagues were following the latest developments.
That coverage included a warning from vice-president JD Vance, who told Iran not to “play” the US during upcoming negotiations in Pakistan.
The post also directed readers to sign up for the Breaking News US email for newsletter alerts.
While the live blog moved quickly between topics, the exchange over Epstein survivors and Melania Trump stood out for its sharp reaction. Survivors who have already spoken out said they had fulfilled their role and renewed their call for accountability to shift toward questioning Pam Bondi.
The dispute underscores how the Epstein case continues to generate public scrutiny and political attention, with survivors still pressing for formal examination of the people and institutions they believe should be answerable.
