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Did Paolo Zampolli ever comment publicly about introducing Epstein to Trump?
Executive summary
Available reporting shows Paolo Zampolli has publicly maintained that he — not Jeffrey Epstein — introduced Melania to Donald Trump at a 1998 Fashion Week party; multiple outlets cite Zampolli’s long-standing claim and the Trumps’ version of events [1] [2]. At the same time, Jeffrey Epstein is reported in newly surfaced emails and prior reporting to have at times boasted of social ties that included the Trumps, producing competing claims in the public record [3] [4].
1. What Zampolli has publicly said — his claim of responsibility
Paolo Zampolli has consistently taken credit for introducing Melania to Donald Trump, telling reporters and appearing in accounts that the couple met at his Fashion Week/Kit Kat Club party in 1998; outlets including Business Insider and later fact-summary pieces repeat that Zampolli “said that he introduced the couple” and called Epstein’s rival claim “BS” [1] [5]. Major contemporary coverage and profiles of the Trumps also repeat the Zampolli-origin story and note he represented Melania as a model at the time [1] [6].
2. The competing claim: Epstein’s boasts and newly surfaced emails
Jeffrey Epstein has been reported to have claimed, at various times, social proximity to both Melania and Donald Trump; recent releases of emails from Epstein’s estate include messages where Epstein writes about Trump and about women who “spent hours at my house with him,” which revived questions about Epstein’s relationship with Trump [3] [4] [7]. Business Insider and other accounts have noted Epstein reportedly boasted he introduced Trump to Melania — a claim directly at odds with Zampolli’s account [1].
3. How news outlets present the disagreement
News organizations present two competing narratives: the Trump/first lady account and Zampolli’s consistent version that he hosted the party where they met, versus Epstein’s own claims or braggadocio about connections. The Guardian, ABC7 and NewsNation summarize the Trumps’ long-standing position that Zampolli introduced them, and reporting notes that Hunter Biden’s recent public remarks citing Epstein prompted the Trumps to reiterate the Zampolli story [2] [8] [9]. Conversely, reporting on the Epstein emails highlights language in his correspondence that suggests he boasted about his ties to Trump, leaving public ambiguity [4] [3].
4. What Zampolli’s public comments amount to in practice
Available sources show Zampolli has publicly asserted he introduced the couple and that he has disputed Epstein’s claims — including a quoted characterization of Epstein’s version as “B S” reported in Business Insider and in later summaries [1] [5]. These comments function as a direct rebuttal to any suggestion Epstein was the intermediary; outlets repeatedly cite Zampolli’s claim when summarizing how Melania and Donald Trump say they met [6] [2].
5. Limits of the public record and what’s not in the sources
The materials provided do not include an on-the-record contemporaneous quote from Zampolli describing the exact moment of introduction beyond the repeated statement that he hosted the party and claimed responsibility; nor do they include definitive documentary proof (e.g., invitations, attendee lists) that settles who physically introduced them. Available sources do not mention any legal filing from Zampolli about this specific claim, nor do they provide an independent eyewitness account that adjudicates Epstein’s vs. Zampolli’s versions beyond secondary reporting [1] [5].
6. Why this matters and the competing incentives in reporting
The dispute is consequential because any tie between Epstein and the Trumps invites political and reputational scrutiny. Outlets and commentators may emphasize one narrative or the other depending on context: pieces focused on the Epstein files highlight Epstein’s boasts and newly released material [3] [4], while profiles of the Trumps and statements from the couple emphasize Zampolli’s role [1] [2]. Readers should note potential incentives: Epstein’s self-aggrandizing communications sought to magnify his social reach, while the Trumps and their allies have an interest in distancing Melania from Epstein [4] [2].
7. Bottom line for your question — did Zampolli ever comment publicly about introducing Epstein to Trump?
Yes: Paolo Zampolli has publicly claimed he introduced Melania to Donald Trump and has disputed Epstein’s competing claim, with news outlets reporting Zampolli’s version and quoting his rejection of Epstein’s account [1] [5]. However, sources also show Epstein made boastful claims about his connections, and newly released emails have kept the matter contested in public reporting [3] [4].
If you want, I can compile the specific passages and original quotes from the Business Insider, New York Post excerpts, Guardian, or the email-release coverage so you can see the exact language attributed to Zampolli and to Epstein [1] [2] [4].