‘The View’s Ana Navarro shuts down Melania Trump’s claim she had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes: “All she did was open up the Pandora’s box”

Ana Navarro thinks Melania Trump‘s statement denying any connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein could do the First Lady more harm than good.

The View returned with its first live episode in over a week on Monday, where Whoopi Goldberg brought up how Melania’s “surprise statement” last Thursday (April 9) “brought” the Epstein files “back” into the headlines. Goldberg said that Melania “denied that Epstein introduced her to” President Donald Trump, and also “said that she has no knowledge of Epstein and [Ghislaine] Maxwell‘s crimes.”

“What did you think about her speaking out about that?” Goldberg asked her co-hosts, prompting an immediate reply from Navarro.

“What a counterproductive statement, because if her objective was to close down any rumors about her, all she did was open up the Pandora’s box,” Navarro insisted.

Navarro also highlighted how Melania “was very upset that there are all of these rumors and conspiracy theories involving her and Epstein going on,” though she was also “front and center and part of spreading the conspiracy on birtherism against Barack Obama.”

“The last thing I would say is, listen,” she continued. “If she wants to be an ally and champion to those Epstein survivors, she can. She can start by inviting them to the White House, and meeting with them, and listening to their stories. She can tart by turning to the guy next to her, Donald Trump, and telling him to tell his DOJ to release all the files, and to call his friend Mike Johnson in Congress and demand that there be accountability and congressional hearings.”

As the studio audience applauded Navarro for her response, Sara Haines added that Melania can also “testify before the House Oversight [Committee].”

“I said the same thing. If you believe there needs to be justice, it doesn’t have a party line,” Haines explained. “I said this about the Clintons, and they did it. Everyone at the top—as you said, it comes from the top—needs to testify. If you have nothing to hide, go under oath, and share what you can, so we can uncover as much as we can.”

Sunny Hostin agreed, noting that the role of First Lady “can be a very powerful position.”

“We’ve seen the great work that’s been done by former First Ladies,” she said. “She should definitely testify.”

Hostin pointed out how “there are numerous pictures of Melania Trump with Jeffrey Epstein,” including one shown on The View of the president, Melania, Epstein, and Maxwell.

“There goes one right there!” Hostin exclaimed as the picture appeared. “She must know something. And for her to say—she said that she and her attorneys are fighting back against unfounded and baseless lies in regards to her connections to Epstein. Then what are those baseless lies? What are those accusations? Tell us more. Tell us more.”

The View airs on weekdays at 11/10c on ABC.