A former assistant to Jeffrey Epstein told the FBI that the convicted sex offender introduced Melania Trump to Donald Trump, according to documents released by the Department of Justice on February 2, 2026.
The assistant, who worked as a model for Epstein from 2005 to 2006, made the statement to FBI agents and federal prosecutors in July 2019 under a proffer agreement. The document emerged from the massive release of over 3 million pages of Epstein files that the DOJ made public.
The claim directly contradicts the account given by both President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump regarding how they met. According to the FBI document dated November 2019, the assistant stated that Paolo Zampolli was working with Epstein. “EPSTEIN introduced MELANIA TRUMP to DONALD TRUMP,” the document reads.
The assistant provided testimony under a proffer agreement, which offers limited immunity in exchange for truthful statements. Making false statements to the FBI can result in up to 5 years in prison. The document indicates the assistant was given immunity to testify, though it does not specify what charges immunity was granted from.
For years, public accounts have credited Zampolli with introducing the couple at the Kit Kat Club in 1998. The White House responded to the new documents by pointing to a DOJ warning that accompanied the file release. “This production may contain fake or falsely submitted images, documents or videos,” the department stated, noting that untrue and sensationalist claims were submitted to the FBI before the 2020 election.
Zampolli, who was appointed as special envoy for global partnerships by President Trump, has long been described as the person who facilitated the meeting between Trump and Melania. The latest revelation complicates that narrative and raises questions about the nature of connections within Epstein’s social circle during the late 1990s.
The DOJ released the files, which included approximately 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, according to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
In November 2019, Melania Trump threatened a billion-dollar lawsuit against Michael Wolff after the author claimed on a podcast that she met Trump through Zampolli and Epstein’s social circle. Wolff responded by filing his own lawsuit against the first lady, invoking free speech protections.
The files also revealed connections between Epstein and several members of President Trump’s inner circle. Steve Bannon filmed a documentary interview with Epstein in the summer of 2019, just weeks before the financier’s death. Elon Musk exchanged emails with Epstein on Christmas Day 2012, asking about parties and stating he wanted to “hit the party scene.”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also appeared in the documents, having emailed Epstein about meeting in the Caribbean. The messages suggest closer relationships between these figures and Epstein than they had previously disclosed publicly.
The release also included a draft 60-count indictment dated May 1, 2007, which prosecutors had prepared before Epstein reached a controversial non-prosecution agreement. That deal, negotiated when Alex Acosta was involved, allowed Epstein to avoid federal charges.
Epstein died by suicide in jail on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death came just weeks after his July 2019 arrest, around the same time the former assistant provided her statement to federal investigators.
Other prominent names appearing in the files include Bill Gates, Ghislaine Maxwell, Brett Ratner, and Kevin Warsh. The documents show Epstein maintained an extensive network of contacts across business, entertainment, and political spheres. Woody Allen exchanged text messages with Epstein, while Peter Attia, a wellness influencer, appeared in the files.
Katherine Keating, daughter of former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, offered to bring her sister to a dinner party hosted by Epstein, according to email exchanges included in the release. The correspondence revealed the extent to which Epstein cultivated relationships with children of powerful political figures.
Survivors of Epstein’s abuse criticized the document release, stating it exposed their identities despite DOJ promises to protect their privacy. The Justice Department warned that the files may contain untrue information, as everything submitted to the FBI by the public was included in the production. Officials emphasized that inclusion in the documents does not necessarily imply wrongdoing by any individual named.
The former assistant’s account adds another layer to the complex web of relationships surrounding Epstein, who cultivated connections with wealthy and powerful individuals for decades. The testimony, given under legal protections but also under penalty of perjury, represents one of thousands of pieces of evidence now available to the public as investigators continue examining the full scope of Epstein’s network and activities.
The White House has maintained that claims in the documents targeting President Trump are unfounded and false, arguing that credible allegations would have surfaced during previous investigations and political campaigns. The administration pointed to the timing of some submissions, noting materials were sent to the FBI shortly before the 2020 election.
