A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by journalist Michael Wolff against First Lady Melania Trump, criticizing the case as an improper attempt to use the courts to gain a strategic advantage in an ongoing dispute. U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil described the legal maneuver as “contorted” and said it was “not how federal courts work,” while acknowledging that the parties still have a genuine disagreement that could be addressed through normal litigation.
The dispute began after Melania Trump’s attorney sent Wolff a letter demanding that he retract statements he had made and warning that a defamation lawsuit could follow. In response, Wolff filed his own lawsuit seeking legal protection from potential claims. Although the case was moved to federal court, Judge Vyskocil declined to continue hearing it and dismissed the action.
A spokesperson for the First Lady welcomed the ruling, stating that Melania Trump remains committed to challenging what she considers false and defamatory allegations. Trump has repeatedly denied any connection to Jeffrey Epstein and has said that efforts to link her to him are damaging and untrue.
Wolff, meanwhile, argues that his comments were either taken out of context or protected expressions of opinion, and he denies accusing the First Lady of criminal wrongdoing.
