First Lady Melania Trump made a rare public appearance on Capitol Hill, marking her first major outing since addressing the controversy tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
The appearance centered on policy, but came just days after she forcefully denied any connection to Epstein.
“I am not a friend of Jeffrey Epstein. I was never a friend of Jeffrey Epstein,” Melania said in her prior statement.
She also rejected any personal link to the case.
“I am not a victim of Jeffrey Epstein,” she added, aiming to shut down speculation.
With that controversy still fresh, Melania shifted focus back to legislative efforts during her Capitol Hill visit.
She met with lawmakers at a House Ways and Means Committee roundtable to advocate for new legislation aimed at improving outcomes for children in the foster care system.
“We are gathered here today… because America’s children are our moral equals,” she told the bipartisan group.
She emphasized that expanding support for foster youth should be treated as a priority.
“New legislation for the foster care community is a moral imperative,” she said, urging lawmakers to take action.
The event brought together both Republicans and Democrats working on proposals related to foster care reform.
Melania framed the issue as one requiring concrete policy solutions rather than symbolic attention.
“When I first developed Fostering the Future, one thing became very clear: the foster care community requires action over awareness,” she said.
Her initiative, launched in 2021 under the broader “Be Best” platform, focuses on helping foster youth transition into independence.
The program includes efforts to expand education access, job training, and financial stability for young people leaving the system.
Melania highlighted the challenges facing that group.
She noted that only about three percent of individuals in foster care earned a college degree in 2025, pointing to a significant gap in opportunity.
“We can close this gap,” she said.
Her advocacy includes pushing for funding and legislative changes.
She has previously supported the Foster Youth to Independence program, which provides up to 36 months of housing assistance to individuals aging out of foster care, as the Daily Mail reported.
The administration has also backed funding increases for similar programs, including a proposal to allocate $25 million in the fiscal year 2026 budget.
The Capitol Hill visit reflects a more active role for the First Lady during this phase of the administration.
Former aides from previous administrations noted that direct lobbying by a First Lady is relatively uncommon.
Michael LaRosa, a former spokesperson for Dr. Jill Biden, said the move stood out.
“It’s refreshing to see the First Lady take such an active role,” he said, praising the effort.
In recent days, Melania and President Donald Trump also hosted foreign dignitaries at the White House, though public visibility around those events remained limited.
