Judge Tosses Wolff Suit, Clearing Path For $1B Melania Claim

A federal judge dismissed journalist Michael Wolff’s lawsuit against First Lady Melania Trump, rejecting what the court described as a “contorted” legal maneuver and making clear that the case was “not how federal courts work.”

Wolff had sued the first lady in an attempt to stop her from pursuing a potential $1 billion defamation lawsuit over statements he made connecting her to Jeffrey Epstein.

Manhattan Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil, an appointee of President Donald Trump, sharply criticized Wolff’s legal strategy.

“It’s an inappropriate level of tactical gamesmanship,” Vyskocil said.

The judge said she would not be “drafted to oversee an abusively presented spat,” though she acknowledged that both sides do have a “real dispute.”

The case began after the first lady’s attorney sent Wolff a demand letter last year ordering him to delete statements he had made about Melania Trump and warning that she would have “no alternative” but to sue if he refused.

Wolff responded by filing a lawsuit against her in state court in October.

Melania Trump’s attorney, Alejandro Brito, had the complaint moved to federal court. Vyskocil said the federal court had jurisdiction, but declined to exercise it and “dismisses this case to be litigated like any other.”

A spokesperson for the first lady said Melania Trump “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.”

The first lady’s legal team has previously argued that Wolff’s comments caused her “overwhelming reputational and financial harm.”

Melania Trump has denied any association with Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of child sex trafficking.

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” the first lady said in an April press conference.

“The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility, and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation,” she added at the time.

Wolff claimed in his lawsuit that President Trump and the first lady “have made a practice of threatening those who speak against them” with expensive legal actions “to silence their speech, to intimidate their critics generally, and to extract unjustified payments and North Korean-style confessions and apologies.”

He also argued that some of his comments were taken out of context, while others were protected opinion. That included his statement describing the Trumps as having a “sham marriage, trophy marriage,” which his lawsuit claimed was a “fair and justified” opinion.

Wolff’s lawsuit also said he never accused the first lady of being involved in criminal activity tied to Epstein.

The Daily Beast previously retracted an article last summer titled “Melania Trump ‘Very Involved’ in Epstein Scandal: Author,” which was based on an interview with Wolff. The outlet removed the piece after receiving a letter from Brito.

In the interview that led to the retracted article, Wolff said he had reported that the first lady was “behind the scenes” handling the situation at the White House, while also saying she was not criminally involved.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace praised Melania Trump at the time for speaking out in support of Epstein victims.

“Melania Trump stands with Epstein victims,” Mace said, citing the first lady’s advocacy for legislation addressing the distribution of fake intimate images. “The truth will prevail.”

Some Democrats also reacted to Melania Trump’s comments.

Rep. Robert Garcia called for a public hearing.

“We agree with First Lady Melania Trump’s call for a public hearing,” Garcia said. “We encourage Chairman Comer to schedule a hearing immediately.”

Garcia said the first lady’s remarks brought new attention to the broader investigation.

In her comments, Melania Trump urged Congress to take action.

“Now is the time for Congress to act,” she said.

She also called on lawmakers to allow victims to testify under oath.

The dismissal marks a legal setback for Wolff and a public victory for the first lady, who has made clear she intends to fight back aggressively against what she views as false and damaging claims.

For conservatives, the case also underscores a broader concern about media figures using sensational allegations to target President Trump and his family, only to retreat when those claims are challenged in court.