WATCH: Trump ‘OK’ with public Epstein survivor hearings

President Donald Trump said he is "OK" with survivors of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein having a public hearing.

"I'm OK with it, he told PBS News' Liz Landers during a media availability outside the White House. "I think we've had a lot of public hearings. I'm OK with it, but I understand that the women didn't want to go under oath."

"That's what I heard, that the women, the victims or whatever, they refused to go under oath, which was a little surprising," he added.

Landers asked him about first lady Melania Trump's recent comments on Epstein and if he supports her call for Congress to hold a public hearing for survivors.

In a White House address last week, Melania Trump denied allegations that she had a close relationship with Epstein and his co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell. She also called on Congress to provide a public hearing for the survivors and the chance to testify before lawmakers.

Sign up for Here's The Deal with Lisa Desjardins

Subscribe for exclusive content in our newsletters

PBS News podcasts

Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app

Find more from PBS News at

Subscribe to our YouTube channel