Melania Trump is not backing down. The former First Lady unleashed a fiery response Friday after a federal judge tossed author Michael Wolff's lawsuit aimed at her, which attempted to link her to the notorious Jeffrey Epstein.
"First Lady Melania Trump 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," she declared on her X account, making it clear she won't let the allegations slide.
This statement came hot on the heels of U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil's dismissal of Wolff's preemptive suit in Manhattan, where she criticized his legal maneuvering as "contorted" and "not how the federal courts work." The judge, appointed by Trump himself, expressed frustration over the "inappropriate level of tactical gamesmanship" displayed by both parties.
Wolff's legal drama began last October when Melania's attorney, Alejandro Brito, warned him that failure to retract his statements could lead to a $1 billion defamation lawsuit. Instead of backing down, Wolff opted for New York state court, a move Vyskocil deemed improper forum shopping.
The crux of the dispute? Wolff's claims about Melania's supposed connections to Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in custody while facing child sex trafficking charges. Melania has vehemently denied any ties to him, stating, "The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today," during an April press conference.
She didn't hold back, calling out those spreading rumors: "The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation."
Wolff's lawsuit accused the Trumps of using legal threats to silence critics and extract unjustified payments. He argued that his comments about the Trump marriage being a "sham marriage" were protected opinion, claiming they were "fair and justified." He insisted he never accused Melania of criminal involvement with Epstein but suggested she was managing the situation "behind the scenes" at the White House.
In a twist, The Daily Beast retracted a story based on a Wolff interview last summer after receiving a letter from Brito. The saga continues as Melania stands firm against what she calls vicious lies aimed at tarnishing her reputation.
