A federal judge has dismissed a preemptive lawsuit filed by journalist Michael Wolff against First Lady Melania Trump, allowing potential defamation litigation to proceed through standard legal channels.
U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil of the Southern District of New York ruled that Wolff’s case was an inappropriate attempt to gain tactical advantage in federal court. The judge called the legal strategy “contorted” and stated it did not align with how federal courts operate.
Wolff filed the lawsuit after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from Trump’s attorney, Alejandro Brito, which alleged that comments about the first lady were defamatory. Rather than wait for Trump to file suit, Wolff sought a court ruling that would preemptively block such litigation.
The Disputed Statements
The dispute centers on statements Wolff made regarding Melania Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump has repeatedly denied any association with Epstein and has publicly rejected allegations linking her to him.
Wolff has argued that his comments were taken out of context, constituted protected opinion, and did not accuse Trump of criminal wrongdoing. He claimed the statements did not meet the legal threshold for defamation.
What Happens Next
The judge’s ruling does not determine whether either side’s claims have merit. It instead leaves both parties free to pursue any future defamation litigation through the normal judicial process if either chooses to proceed.
A spokesperson for the first lady said Trump remains committed to challenging what her legal team considers false and defamatory statements. Her attorneys have maintained that the disputed remarks caused significant reputational and financial harm.
This story has been updated. CNN’s reporting team contributed to this report.
