A federal judge has dismissed journalist Michael Wolff’s lawsuit challenging First Lady Melania Trump’s threatened $1 billion defamation claim against him over statements he made about her alleged connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
Manhattan Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil ruled that Wolff’s attempt to block Trump from suing him was a “contorted” strategy that did not belong in federal court. “It’s an inappropriate level of tactical gamesmanship,” Vyskocil said, declining to oversee what she described as an “abusively presented spat” between the two parties.
The dispute began after Melania Trump’s lawyer demanded Wolff retract statements he made about her and threatened legal action last year. Wolff filed suit in state court in October to prevent her from suing him, but the case was moved to federal court by Trump’s attorney, Alejandro Brito.
What Led to the Legal Battle
Wolff claimed in his lawsuit that Trump and her husband “have made a practice of threatening those who speak against them” with costly legal actions to silence critics. He argued that some of his statements were protected opinion and taken out of context.
The Daily Beast retracted an article last summer titled “Melania Trump ‘Very Involved’ in Epstein Scandal: Author” after receiving a letter from Brito. In the original interview, Wolff said the first lady was “behind the scenes” handling the situation at the White House but was not involved in criminal activity.
Melania Trump has consistently denied any association with Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges. “The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she said at an April press conference.
The Court’s Decision
Vyskocil acknowledged that both sides have a “real dispute” but determined that federal court was not the appropriate venue. She dismissed the case to be “litigated like any other,” effectively clearing the path for Melania Trump to proceed with her own legal action against Wolff.
A Melania Trump spokesperson said the first lady “is proud to continue standing up to, and fighting against, those who spread malicious and defamatory falsehoods as they desperately try to get undeserved attention and money from their unlawful conduct.”
Political Response
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace praised Melania Trump for addressing the matter, saying “Melania Trump stands with Epstein victims” and citing her advocacy for legislation addressing non-consensual intimate images. Democratic lawmakers also responded, with Rep. Robert Garcia calling for a public hearing on the matter.
Melania Trump used her April statement to urge Congress to take action. “Now is the time for Congress to act,” she said, calling on lawmakers to allow victims to testify under oath.
This story has been updated. CNN’s legal and political teams contributed to this report.
