A senior adviser to First Lady Melania Trump said her surprise White House remarks denying any ties to Jeffrey Epstein were intended to directly address and refute persistent allegations.

Marc Beckman, a close adviser to the first lady, explained her decision during an appearance on Fox & Friends on Friday, emphasizing her determination to defend her reputation.

“If she can’t stand up for herself and ensure her reputation remains intact, who will?” Beckman said. “She’s ready to fight.”

Melania Trump’s statement on Thursday came without prior notice to the press, and the topic was not disclosed in advance on the White House schedule. In her remarks, she said she had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and denied any relationship with him or his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking.

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she said.

The first lady also called for congressional hearings into the Epstein case, urging lawmakers to allow survivors to testify publicly if they choose.

While a spokesperson for her office said the West Wing had been informed she would deliver remarks, sources told ABC News that some White House officials were caught off guard by the subject matter, with questions raised internally about the timing of her intervention.