Judge Dismisses Michael Wolff Defamation Suit Against Melania Trump

A federal judge in Manhattan dismissed a lawsuit filed by author Michael Wolff against First Lady Melania Trump on Friday, ruling that his preemptive legal action was an improper attempt to circumvent standard court procedures. Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil threw out the case, stating the court would not be conscripted to oversee an abusively presented spat.

The dispute stems from statements Wolff made about Melania Trump and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. In October, Wolff sued the first lady after her lawyer, Alejandro Brito, sent a letter threatening a defamation lawsuit seeking $1 billion in damages if Wolff did not retract his comments. The letter alleged Wolff’s statements had caused overwhelming reputational and financial harm.

Judge Vyskocil, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, acknowledged the parties have a real dispute but found Wolff’s approach contorted. She criticized both sides for an inappropriate level of tactical gamesmanship. The judge determined that while the federal court has jurisdiction, she would decline to exercise it, dismissing the case so it could be litigated like any other. Wolff had originally filed his lawsuit in New York state court, but...