Judge Dismisses Michael Wolff's Preemptive Lawsuit Against Melania Trump
A federal judge appointed by Trump dismissed author Michael Wolff's preemptive lawsuit against former First Lady Melania Trump. Wolff had sought a declaratory judgment that his statements linking Melania to Jeffrey Epstein were not defamatory, after she threatened a $1 billion defamation suit. Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil ruled Wolff's anti-SLAPP claim was an abuse of the Declaratory Judgment Act, allowing Melania's defamation case to proceed.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Judge Dismisses Michael Wolff's Lawsuit Over Melania Trump's Defamation Threat
A federal judge, Mary Kay Vyskocil of the Southern District of New York, dismissed author Michael Wolff's lawsuit against former First Lady Melania Trump. Wolff had sought a declaratory judgment that statements he made about Melania Trump's alleged involvement with Jeffrey Epstein were not defamatory, after she threatened to sue him for defamation under Florida law. The judge ruled that Wolff's attempt to preemptively seek a declaration of non-liability was an abuse of the Declaratory Judgment Act, as it sought to short-circuit a potential defamation suit and gain a procedural advantage. The court declined to reach the merits, noting the case involved prominent personalities and tactical gamesmanship but ultimately required dismissal. The dispute originated from Wolff's book and public statements linking Melania Trump to Epstein's social circle.
Reason.comJudge Dismisses Michael Wolff's Lawsuit Over Melania Trump's Defamation Threat
A federal judge, Mary Kay Vyskocil of the Southern District of New York, dismissed author Michael Wolff's lawsuit against former First Lady Melania Trump. Wolff had sought a declaratory judgment that statements he made about Melania Trump's alleged involvement with Jeffrey Epstein were not defamatory, after she threatened to sue him for defamation under Florida law. The judge ruled that Wolff's attempt to preemptively seek a declaration of non-liability was an abuse of the Declaratory Judgment Act, as it sought to short-circuit a potential defamation suit and gain a procedural advantage. The court declined to reach the merits, noting the case involved prominent personalities and tactical gamesmanship but ultimately required dismissal. The dispute originated from Wolff's book and public statements linking Melania Trump to Epstein's social circle.
Reason.comJudge Dismisses Michael Wolff's Lawsuit Over Melania Trump's Defamation Threat
A federal judge, Mary Kay Vyskocil of the Southern District of New York, dismissed author Michael Wolff's preemptive lawsuit against former First Lady Melania Trump. Wolff had sought a declaratory judgment that statements he made about Melania Trump's alleged involvement with Jeffrey Epstein were not defamatory, after she threatened to sue him for defamation under Florida law. The judge ruled that Wolff's lawsuit was an abuse of the Declaratory Judgment Act, as it attempted to short-circuit a potential defamation suit and preempt Melania Trump's choice of forum. The court declined to reach the merits, stating it would not be conscripted to oversee an abusively presented spat. The case was removed from state court to federal court based on diversity jurisdiction, given the parties' different state citizenships and the billion-dollar damages sought. The opinion highlighted the inappropriate tactical gamesmanship but concluded the outcome was simple: the court would not hear the case.
Reason.comJudge Dismisses Michael Wolff's Lawsuit Over Melania Trump's Defamation Threat
A federal judge, Mary Kay Vyskocil of the Southern District of New York, dismissed author Michael Wolff's lawsuit against former First Lady Melania Trump. Wolff had sought a declaratory judgment that statements he made about Melania Trump's alleged involvement with Jeffrey Epstein were not defamatory, after she threatened to sue him for defamation. The judge ruled that Wolff's attempt to preemptively seek a declaration of non-liability was an abuse of the Declaratory Judgment Act, as it sought to short-circuit a potential defamation suit in Florida and gain a procedural advantage. The court declined to reach the merits, stating it would not be conscripted to oversee an abusively presented spat. The case was removed from state court to federal court based on diversity jurisdiction, given the parties' different state citizenships and the billion-dollar damages sought.
Reason.comMelania Trump Wins Dismissal of Michael Wolff's Preemptive Lawsuit
Melania Trump has secured a legal victory as a U.S. federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by author Michael Wolff. Wolff had sought to block a $1 billion defamation lawsuit brought by the former first lady over statements he made in the media regarding her alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil ruled that Wolff's claim under anti-SLAPP laws, which are intended to protect defendants from baseless and intimidating lawsuits, was 'preemptive' and presented in a 'somewhat distorted position.' The ruling allows Melania Trump's defamation case against Wolff to proceed. The decision was reported by The Guardian and summarized by Digi24.
Digi24Judge Dismisses Michael Wolff's Lawsuit Against Melania Trump
A federal judge on Friday dismissed author Michael Wolff's lawsuit against first lady Melania Trump. The suit was launched after Melania Trump threatened to sue Wolff for defamation over statements in his book. U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil noted the case was complicated due to the prominence of the personalities, scandalizing content, and inappropriate tactical gamesmanship. The dismissal ends the legal action initiated by Wolff, who had sought to preempt a defamation claim from Melania Trump.
Just In NewsJudge Appointed by Trump Dismisses Michael Wolff's Lawsuit Against Melania Trump
A federal judge appointed by former President Donald Trump has dismissed a lawsuit filed by author Michael Wolff against former first lady Melania Trump. Wolff, co-host of The Daily Beast's podcast 'Inside Trump's Head,' had filed an anti-SLAPP lawsuit in October 2025 after Melania Trump threatened to sue him for $1 billion. The threat stemmed from Wolff's comments about Melania and Jeffrey Epstein, including allegations that she met Donald Trump in Epstein's social circle, that Trump first slept with Melania on Epstein's private jet, and that she was involved in her husband's handling of the Epstein files. The judge threw out Wolff's bid, marking a legal victory for Melania Trump.
The Daily Beast Latest Articles