‘Melania’ director Brett Ratner responds to being named in Epstein files
Brett Ratner, the director of the new documentary film Melania, has responded to being named in the Epstein files.
In the latest release of previously redacted files from the US government regarding the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, the director was seen in several photographs sitting beside Epstein on a sofa and hugging a number of young women.
The release of the images related to Ratner coincided with the same day that his latest directorial project Melania, the documentary focusing on the life of Melania Trump leading up to the inauguration of Donald Trump in January 2025, hit the screen.
Now, Ratner has responded to appearing in the Epstein files, telling Fox News Digital that the woman he was seen sitting next to in the photographs was his fiancée at the time.
He said: “About 20 years ago, I had a girlfriend. I was in love with her. We were engaged. She was my fiancée. We went to an event, and we were sitting on the couch, and the photo was taken at that event.”
Ratner added: “I didn’t have a personal relationship with him [Epstein]. I didn’t know him.”
Speaking of the effect of being cast into the shadow of Epstein, the filmmaker noted: “You get thrown into these things. It’s crazy. It’s horrible.”
Despite being named in the documentation relating to Epstein, it does not translate to any form of criminal wrongdoing for anyone involved, nor does it mean they had any prior knowledge of his sex crimes.
Epstein was convicted of sexual charges in 2008, including the prostitution of a minor. He died while in custody as he was awaiting trial in 2019.
Melania marks Ratner’s first directorial effort since 2017, when he was accused of sexual assault as part of the #MeToo movement in Hollywood. He has always strongly denied these allegations.
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