Judge Dismisses Author Michael Wolff Lawsuit Against First Lady Melania Trump

A federal judge in Manhattan dismissed author Michael Wolff's lawsuit against first lady Melania Trump on Friday, ruling that his filing was an improper attempt to preempt a threatened $1 billion defamation claim. Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil said Wolff's filing "is not how the federal courts work" and declined to exercise jurisdiction even though the court had authority over the case.

She described the litigation as an "abusively presented spat" marked by "inappropriate level of tactical gamesmanship" from both sides.

" Brito later had the case transferred to federal court. In her 45-page decision, Vyskocil said the parties "have a real dispute" but must follow standard procedures rather than use the courts to gain tactical advantage. Messages seeking comment were left with the first lady's office, Brito and Wolff's lawyer.

April, Melania Trump issued a statement at the White House denying any affiliation with Jeffrey Epstein, the financier who died in jail in August 2019 while facing sex-trafficking charges. He said his comments referred to the first lady's management of the matter at the White House last year, not to any involvement in Epstein's crimes.

In July 2025, The Daily Beast retracted an article titled "Melania Trump 'Very Involved' in Epstein Scandal: Author" after receiving a letter from Brito. Wolff maintained that statements about Melania Trump meeting Donald Trump in Epstein's social circle and about Donald Trump were true or fair opinion.