A federal judge has dismissed journalist Michael Wolff’s lawsuit against First Lady Melania Trump, rejecting what the court called a “contorted” legal strategy.
Manhattan Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil ruled that while federal courts have jurisdiction over the case, she was declining to hear it and instead transferring it to state court. “It’s an inappropriate level of tactical gamesmanship,” Vyskocil said during the proceeding.
The judge acknowledged both sides have legitimate disputes but stated she would not be “drafted to oversee an abusively presented spat.” Vyskocil’s decision clears the way for Trump’s legal team to pursue the case through alternative channels.
The Background
Wolff filed the lawsuit in state court in October after making statements about Trump’s association with Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while facing child sex trafficking charges. The Daily Beast subsequently retracted an article titled “Melania Trump ‘Very Involved’ in Epstein Scandal: Author” after receiving a legal letter from Trump’s attorney, Alejandro Brito.
Trump’s legal team moved the case to federal court, where Vyskocil ultimately dismissed it for state court proceedings. Brito and Trump’s representatives have maintained that Wolff’s statements caused significant reputational damage.
The Dispute
Wolff claimed in his filing that Trump and the first lady “have made a practice of threatening those who speak against them” with legal action designed to “silence their speech, to intimidate their critics generally, and to extract unjustified payments.” However, Wolff’s lawsuit stated he never accused the first lady of involvement in any criminal activity related to Epstein.
A Melania Trump spokesperson said the first lady “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.” Trump has denied any association with Epstein.
Political Response
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace publicly supported Trump’s position, stating that “Melania Trump stands with Epstein victims” and noting the first lady’s advocacy for legislation addressing deepfake intimate images. Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia called for congressional hearings on the matter, urging Chairman Comer to schedule proceedings that would allow victims to testify under oath.
Garcia said the renewed attention highlighted the need for broader congressional action on the issue. “Now is the time for Congress to act,” Garcia stated.