A tense moment unfolded during a White House press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 4, when first lady Melania Trump was pressed about claims that Ghislaine Maxwell is receiving preferential treatment in federal custody.
Trump appeared alongside freed American-Israeli hostages Keith Siegel and his wife, Aviva. Keith was released from Hamas captivity in Gaza a year ago, more than 480 days after he and Aviva were taken from their Kibbutz Kfar Aza home during the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Aviva was also captured and later freed during a temporary cease-fire in November 2023, according to the Associated Press.
During the briefing, a reporter asked about renewed demands from Jeffrey Epstein’s survivors for Maxwell to be moved to a high-security prison. Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking in 2021 for her role in grooming victims for Epstein and is serving a 20-year sentence at the low-security Federal Prison Camp (FPC) in Bryan, Texas.
“There’s a call from many Epstein survivors that Ghislaine Maxwell move to a high security prison. Do you know why that happened?” the reporter asked.
Trump did not address the substance of the question. Instead, she pointed back to the purpose of the appearance.
“We are here celebrating the release and the life of these two incredible people, so let’s honor that,” she said.
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Whistleblower alleges perks behind bars
The push to relocate Maxwell comes months after a whistleblower alleged she has received special treatment while incarcerated, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee said.
In a press release, lawmakers alleged that prison staff have been waiting on Maxwell “hand and foot.”
Among the claims: Maxwell has allegedly been provided meals that were “customized and prepared by federal prison camp staff and then personally delivered to her in her cell by longtime federal employees.”
Other allegations include being permitted access to recreation areas after hours, and that her visitors were reportedly given access to a “special cordoned off area for visitors to arrive, as well as an assortment of snacks and refreshments for her guests.”
In another incident described by the whistleblower, an inmate who trains puppies was allegedly instructed to give one to Maxwell for a period of time so she could “play with the puppy, even though neither inmates nor staff are ordinarily allowed to pet the service dogs in training.”
Previously, NBC News and CBS News reported that Maxwell was seeking a commutation of her sentence from President Donald Trump.
Documentary question sparks another exchange
Later in the appearance, Melania referenced her new documentary, Melania, saying a prior meeting with the Siegels is included in the film.
“After Aviva was freed, she called me, wanted to see me and we set up a meeting in New York,” the first lady said, seated between 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.”
A reporter then asked whether it was appropriate to reference the reported $40 million Amazon MGM Studios documentary during an official White House event. Trump pushed back sharply.
“This is not a promotion,” she said.
“We are here celebrating the release of the hostages, of Aviva and Keith,” she 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 now in theaters.
