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

Federal Judge Dismisses Michael Wolff’s Preemptive Lawsuit Against First Lady Melania Trump

A federal judge has dismissed a preemptive lawsuit filed by author and journalist Michael Wolff against First Lady Melania Trump, ruling that the case was procedurally improper and could not proceed in federal court.

U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil, who serves on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, issued a 45-page opinion on Friday rejecting Wolff’s request for a declaratory judgment. Although the judge acknowledged that a genuine dispute exists between the parties, she concluded that the lawsuit represented an improper attempt to obtain a legal ruling before any defamation action had been filed.

“Plaintiff asks for a declaration that, if the First Lady sues him, he deserves to win. That is not how the federal courts work,” Vyskocil wrote, describing the case as displaying an “inappropriate level of tactical gamesmanship.”

The dispute stems from statements Wolff made linking Melania Trump to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. In 2025, the first lady’s attorney, Alejandro Brito, sent Wolff a demand letter requesting that he retract the statements and warning that failure to do so could result in a defamation lawsuit seeking substantial damages.

Rather than waiting for any legal action, Wolff filed suit in New York state court, arguing that his comments were protected speech, constituted opinion, or had been taken out of context. He also claimed the legal threat reflected a broader effort by the Trump family to discourage criticism through litigation. The case was later transferred to federal court.

Following the ruling, a spokesperson for Melania Trump welcomed the decision, stating that the first lady would continue challenging what the statement described as false and defamatory claims intended to damage her reputation.

Earlier this year, Melania Trump publicly denied any connection to Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell, stating that she had never visited Epstein’s private island, flown on his aircraft, or had knowledge of his criminal conduct. She called the allegations false and harmful.

Wolff has maintained that he never accused the first lady of criminal wrongdoing, arguing that his comments have been mischaracterized. Judge Vyskocil’s decision does not address the substance of either party’s claims, leaving open the possibility that any future defamation dispute could proceed through the normal legal process if a lawsuit is filed.