A taped recording purportedly from former model and associate of Melania Trump has disputed the American First Lady’s claims about how she met Donald Trump. Former Brazilian model Amanda Ungaro made the bombshell allegation while accusing her ex-partner and modelling agent-turned-Presidential envoy Paolo Zampolli of lying about claiming he introduced the duo.
Ungaro’s claims, though unverified, dispute Melania’s claim that she met Donald Trump at a party at the Kit Kat Club in 1998. She was introduced to the businessman by Italian-American businessman Zampolli. Zampolli, who ran a modelling agency in New York, hired Melania. However, the clip, which was posted on Ungaro’s X account, has now been deleted.
“Let’s tell the public you were never the one introducing Melania to Trump. It was Jeffrey Epstein, as she was the escort of Jeffrey Epstein. That’s how she met Donald Trump,” Ungaro claims in the WhatsApp recording, according to Daily Beast. “And I know, because I was with you 20 years and you always told me it was not you—it was Jeffrey Epstein,” she added.
Ungaro is in a custody battle with Zampolli, with whom she shares a son and shared a two-decade-long relationship, which ended in 2021. The 41-year-old Brazilian model was deported from the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in October 2025. She alleges Zampolli used his influence in Washington to trigger her deportation.
Ungaro had also opened up about how she boarded Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet, later known as the “Lolita Express,” on a flight from Paris to New York in June 2002 when she was just 17. Ungaro had also claimed that she saw minors sitting on Jeffrey Epstein’s lap and alleges a modelling agent tried to place drugs in her bag on a 2002 flight from Paris to New York.
Zampolli has meanwhile reacted to the allegations, stating that it was a disgrace that Ungaro dares to say this about our marvellous first lady. “I’m truly concerned for her health, and I think she truly needs some therapy,” the Trump ally said of his ex to Daily Beast.
He also put up a post on X calling Ungaro’s statements “vicious lies, conspiracies and disparaging attacks”
“The truth is in the records. FL Melania Trump is the most elegant, graceful, intelligent, and perfect First Lady America has ever had. A true icon of strength, dignity, and class. Notice to social media activists: Most of the content coming from Amanda is AI-manipulated. Our legal team is monitoring,” he added.
The White House has not reacted to Ungaro’s allegations.
