A federal judge in Manhattan has dismissed journalist Michael Wolff’s lawsuit against First Lady Melania Trump, ruling that the case was an improper attempt to use the federal court system to resolve a dispute that should proceed through normal legal channels. Although the judge acknowledged that the parties have a legitimate disagreement, she concluded that the federal court was not the appropriate venue for the claims presented.
U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil criticized the lawsuit as a “contorted” effort and said it reflected an “inappropriate level of tactical gamesmanship.” In her decision, she wrote that the case represented an attempt to obtain a federal ruling in a manner inconsistent with the purpose of the courts. Rather than addressing the underlying dispute, she dismissed the action so it could be litigated through the ordinary legal process.
The dispute began after attorneys representing Melania Trump sent Wolff a cease-and-desist letter demanding that he retract statements they considered false and defamatory. The letter warned that if he refused to comply, legal action would follow. Instead of waiting to be sued, Wolff filed a lawsuit in New York state court seeking a declaration that his comments were protected by law. Trump’s legal team, led by attorney Alejandro Brito, later removed the matter to federal court.
Judge Vyskocil noted the unusual procedural posture of the case while emphasizing that federal courts should not become involved in disputes presented in what she viewed as an inappropriate manner. Her ruling does not determine whether any statements were defamatory or whether either side would ultimately prevail if the dispute continues elsewhere.
A spokesperson for the first lady welcomed the dismissal, saying Melania Trump remains committed to challenging what the spokesperson described as malicious and defamatory falsehoods. Her legal team has argued that the disputed statements caused substantial reputational and financial harm and has maintained that legal action was necessary to protect her reputation.
Melania Trump has consistently denied any connection to Jeffrey Epstein, the financier who died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. She has publicly rejected allegations linking her to Epstein, calling them false and damaging, while criticizing those she believes have attempted to harm her reputation through inaccurate claims.
Wolff has argued that many of his remarks were either taken out of context or constituted protected opinion rather than defamatory statements. He has also maintained that he never accused the first lady of criminal involvement with Epstein. Among the comments at issue were his descriptions of the Trumps’ marriage, which he defended as expressions of opinion.
The dispute gained wider attention after The Daily Beast published an article based on an interview with Wolff and later retracted it following a legal demand from Melania Trump’s attorney. The federal dismissal leaves open the possibility that the underlying dispute could continue in state court or another appropriate forum as both sides pursue their respective legal positions.
