A federal judge in Manhattan dismissed author and journalist Michael Wolff’s lawsuit against First Lady Melania Trump, ruling that the case was not brought through an appropriate legal process. U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil declined jurisdiction, emphasizing that genuine disagreements must still follow established court procedures.
The dispute arose after Wolff made statements connecting Melania Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, who died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges involving minors. Attorney Alejandro Brito reportedly demanded that Wolff remove the statements, warning of a possible defamation lawsuit and citing potential reputational and financial consequences.
Rather than waiting for a defamation case, Wolff sought a federal declaration that would favor his position in advance. Judge Vyskocil criticized the filing as tactical gamesmanship, explaining that courts cannot bypass procedural requirements simply because opposing parties have a disagreement. Her decision focused on jurisdiction and the appropriateness of the requested remedy.
Importantly, the dismissal did not establish whether Wolff’s disputed statements were accurate or whether a future defamation lawsuit would succeed. Any subsequent legal action would require separate consideration under applicable law. The ruling underscores the importance of proper legal procedures while distinguishing procedural dismissals from final judgments on underlying allegations.