Donald Trump was aware his wife planned to make Thursday’s statement, a person familiar with the matter said.

“I have never been friends with Epstein. Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time, since overlapping in social circles is common in New York City and Palm Beach,” the first lady said in remarks to reporters. “To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, [Ghislaine] Maxwell.”

She called on Congress to provide a forum for Epstein’s victims to testify on Capitol Hill.