House Oversight Chair James Comer says Epstein victim hearings will happen
Melania Trump advisor explains why she ‘lied’ to Jeffrey Epstein
Melania Trump publicly denies ties to Jeffrey Epstein, calls for an end to ‘shameful lies’ and demands congressional action for survivors. Senior counsel Marc Beckman is pushing for a public hearing, highlighting his clear record and advocacy for Epstein’s victims. This rare statement aims to combat persistent false narratives and highlight his achievements, including the ‘Downloads Act’ which he championed.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Some Jeffrey Epstein abuse victims are pushing back on First Lady Melania Trump’s call for public congressional testimony, as Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chairman of the House Oversight Committee, confirmed Friday that “we will have hearings” after Trump made a rare public appearance at the White House on Thursday in which he attacked those who associated him with Epstein.
The First Lady also called on Congress to hold hearings “specifically focused on survivors.”
“Give these victims the opportunity to testify under oath before Congress through the power of affidavit,” Trump said. “Every woman should have a day when she can tell her story publicly, if she chooses, and then her testimony should be recorded permanently in the Congressional Record.”
But a group of 15 Epstein victims released a joint statement against the move on Friday.
“First Lady Melania Trump is now placing the burden on survivors,” they said. “Jeffrey Epstein survivors have already shown extraordinary courage by coming forward, reporting, and testifying,” they added. “Asking them for more is a perversion of responsibility rather than justice.”
MELANIA TRUMP CLAIMS “LIES” AT WHITE HOUSE EVENT THAT SHE HAS A CONNECTION WITH DISGRACED FINANCIALIST JEFFREY EPSTEIN
First Lady Melania Trump issued a statement at the White House on Thursday denying any connection to Jeffrey Epstein while calling for a congressional hearing to allow survivors of his abuse to share their stories. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Comer said hearings like this are always on his radar.
“I agree with the First Lady and appreciate what she said. We will have hearings,” Comer told Fox News’ Sandra Smith. “I always planned to hold hearings with victims.
“My attorneys on the Oversight Committee have been in constant communication for months with attorneys representing Epstein victims,” he added. “There are some victims who want to get in. [but] “Most victims are not like that, and I completely understand that, but we always planned to hold a hearing with Epstein’s victims after depositions were completed.”
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were removed earlier this year by the Oversight Committee for questioning regarding Epstein in February; Microsoft founder Bill Gates is scheduled to testify in June.
COMER SAID EPSTEIN’S LAWYER WAS ‘NOT AWARE’ OF ANY RELATIONSHIP TRUMP HAD WITH THE LAST CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER
Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chairman of the House Oversight Committee, says “we will have hearings” with victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images; Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images)
“The First Lady accomplished three things [Thursday] “This is shameful about Epstein,” Marc Beckman, a senior adviser to the first lady, told “Fox & Friends” on Friday. “First of all, she cleared her record; she set the record straight, she debunked all the lies surrounding her and Epstein.”
MELANIA TRUMP’S ADVISOR SAYS SHE HAS ‘ENOUGH’ AFTER BREAKING HIS SILENCE TO DENY JEFFREY EPSTEIN CONNECTION
Epstein abuse survivor Teresa Helm speaks with lawmakers at a press conference about the Epstein Files Transparency Act in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on November 18, 2025 (Heather Diehl/Getty Images, File)
“Second, he has been a champion for these women and victims, and finally, third, he is a true leader in Washington, D.C. He is calling on Congress to act now.”
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
It’s unclear when and how many of the survivors will come forward to testify.
In their statement, the survivors said, “The survivors did their part. Now it’s time for those in power to do their part.” he said.
