By Crime Vault Magazine Staff
January 30, 2026 – Houston, Texas
In the latest wave of transparency surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal empire, the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of pages of records on Friday, including a previously buried 2002 email exchange that appears to show then-model Melania Knauss (now First Lady Melania Trump) corresponding warmly with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted accomplice and longtime associate.
The email, dated October 23, 2002, was part of a massive tranche exceeding three million Epstein-related files, which also included over 2,000 videos and 180,000 images posted to the DOJ website. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the release, describing it as fulfilling requirements under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed by President Trump in November amid partisan debates over full disclosure.
The note in question, addressed to “Dear G!” and signed “Love, Melania,” references a New York Magazine profile of Jeffrey Epstein published that month titled “Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery.” The full text of the email reads:
“Dear G! How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture. I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time! Love, Melania.”
Maxwell replied under the name “G. Max,” signing off affectionately:
“Sweet pea. Thanks for your message. Actually plans changed again and I am now on my way back to NY. I leave again on Fri so I still do not think I have time to see you sadly. I will try and call though. Keep well. Gx.”
While sender and recipient names were redacted in the released document, the signatures and context strongly point to Melania Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell. The exchange occurred during a period when Epstein, Maxwell, and the Trumps moved in overlapping elite social circles in New York and Palm Beach. A widely circulated 2000 photograph from Mar-a-Lago shows Donald Trump, Melania Knauss, Epstein, and Maxwell together at a social event.
This revelation adds fuel to long-standing speculation about connections between high-profile figures and Epstein’s network, though no evidence in the files or prior investigations has implicated Melania Trump in any criminal activity related to Epstein or Maxwell. President Trump has repeatedly stated he severed ties with Epstein in the mid-2000s after reports of inappropriate behavior at Mar-a-Lago, and Deputy AG Blanche emphasized in statements that nothing in the released communications suggests criminal or inappropriate conduct by Trump himself.
The files stem from the federal probe into Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, and Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for her role in recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein.
Broader Context of the Release
Friday’s dump represents a significant portion—but not all—of the collected Epstein records, with officials noting “over-collection” led to partial withholding initially. Congressional Democrats had pressed for fuller transparency, while the Trump administration framed earlier delays amid what the President called a “Democrat hoax.” The DOJ has indicated this may be the final major release.
Survivors’ advocates have criticized aspects of the rollout, arguing that some victim-identifying information was exposed while powerful men remain shielded. The department maintained redactions protected victims, with exceptions like Maxwell herself.
The appearance of this personal correspondence in the files highlights how even routine social emails from two decades ago can resurface in explosive contexts. It underscores the enduring public fascination—and scrutiny—surrounding Epstein’s web of influential contacts.
Crime Vault Magazine will track further developments as researchers and the public comb through the newly available trove. The full files are accessible via the DOJ website for those seeking primary source details.
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