US first lady Melania Trump has lashed out at “false sneers” over her links with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in a stunning public address.

In a rare personal statement from the White House on Friday (AEST), Trump demanded an end to the “lies” defaming her.

She also called on Congress to hold public hearings for Epstein’s victims.

“The lies linking me with ‌the ‌disgraceful ⁠Jeffrey Epstein need to end ​today,” said Trump.

Trump said she had never had ⁠a ‌relationship with ​Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, ​with whom ‌she said she had only a ​casual correspondence.

“I am not Epstein’s victim,” Melania Trump ​said.

“I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims, I was never involved in any capacity.

“I was not a participant, was never on Epstein’s plane, and never visited his private island.”

She also said: “Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump.”

“I met my husband ‌by chance at a ⁠New York City party in 1998. This initial encounter with my husband is documented in detail in ​my book Melania.

“The first time I crossed paths with Epstein was in the year 2000 at an event Donald and I attended together.”

Melania Trump was pictured with Donald Trump, Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell at several events in the 1990s and early 2000s.

“Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time, since we were in overlapping social circles in New York City and in Palm Beach,” she said.

It was not immediately clear what prompted the First Lady to speak out now.

She said numerous fake images and statements about “Epstein and me” have been circulating on social media for years now.

“The false sneers about me from mean-spirited and politically motivated individuals and entities looking to cause damage to my good name to gain financially and climb politically, must stop.

“My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success, and will continue to ​maintain ​my sound reputation without hesitation.”

Files released by the Justice Department on Epstein include a 2002 email from Melania Trump to Maxwell about a magazine piece on Epstein.

Her email read: “Dear GI 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.”

Trump told reporters on Friday: “My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorised as anything more than casual correspondence. My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note.”

The US first lady also called on Congress to hold a public hearing centred on survivors of Epstein’s crimes, with a chance to testify before lawmakers and have their stories entered into the congressional record.

“Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public if she wishes,” she said.

“Then, and only then, we will have the truth.”

The first lady spoke for about five minutes, reading her statement in the Grand Foyer, then walked away without taking questions.

-with AAP/AP