Federal Judge Dismisses Michael Wolff Suit Seeking Shield From Melania Trump
On Friday, May 22, 2026, U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil dismissed Michael Wolff's lawsuit seeking a federal shield from a threatened $1 billion defamation suit by First Lady Melania Trump.[1]
Vyskocil issued a 45-page opinion that called Wolff's effort "contorted," said the federal court had jurisdiction but declined to exercise it, and wrote she "will not be conscripted to oversee an abusively presented spat." MS NOW
Wolff first sued in New York state court under the state's anti-SLAPP law; defendant Brito removed the case to federal court and asked for dismissal or transfer to Florida, and Vyskocil instead dismissed the case rather than keep or transfer it.[1]
Melania Trump spokesperson Nick Clemens said the first lady "is proud to continue standing up to, and fighting against, those who spread malicious and defamatory falsehoods" and accused Wolff of seeking "undeserved attention and money." MS NOW In April 2026 at the White House, Melania publicly denied any affiliation with Jeffrey Epstein and denounced "unfounded and baseless lies" linking her to him.[1]
Wolff's complaint said the Trumps had "made a practice of threatening those who speak against them" and argued his "sham marriage, trophy marriage" comment was protected opinion rather than an assertion of criminal conduct.[1] The complaint said Melania's threatened lawsuit was prompted by statements he made to The Daily Beast and in three social-media videos.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Friday, May 22, 2026, Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil issued a 45-page decision dismissing Michael Wolff’s lawsuit against first lady Melania Trump, calling his effort a “contorted” attempt to prevent a threatened $1 billion defamation suit.
- Vyskocil said the federal court has jurisdiction but declined to exercise it, writing she “will not be conscripted to oversee an abusively presented spat” and that the parties must litigate “according to the same procedures as everyone else.”
- Wolff initially filed in New York state court under the anti‑SLAPP statute, defendant Brito removed the case to federal court and sought dismissal or transfer to Florida, and Vyskocil ultimately dismissed the case rather than keep or transfer it.
- Melania Trump spokesperson Nick Clemens said the first lady “is proud to continue standing up to, and fighting against, those who spread malicious and defamatory falsehoods” and accused Wolff and others of seeking “undeserved attention and money from their unlawful conduct.”
- Melania Trump’s April 2026 public statement at the White House categorically denied any affiliation with Jeffrey Epstein and denounced “unfounded and baseless lies” linking her to him.
- Wolff’s complaint described the Trumps as having “made a practice of threatening those who speak against them” with costly legal actions intended to intimidate critics and chill First Amendment activity, and it asserted his “sham marriage, trophy marriage” remark was protected opinion.
- The reporting clarifies Wolff did not allege Melania Trump was involved in Epstein’s crimes and says her threatened lawsuit was prompted by statements he made to The Daily Beast and in three social‑media videos.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Friday, May 22, 2026, Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil issued a 45-page decision dismissing Michael Wolff’s lawsuit against first lady Melania Trump, calling his effort a 'contorted' attempt to prevent a threatened $1 billion defamation suit.
- Vyskocil ruled that although the federal court has jurisdiction, she is declining to exercise it, stating she 'will not be conscripted to oversee an abusively presented spat' and that the parties must litigate 'according to the same procedures as everyone else.'
- The article details that Wolff first filed in New York state court under the anti-SLAPP statute, Brito then removed the case to federal court and sought dismissal or transfer to Florida, and Vyskocil ultimately dismissed the case rather than keep it or transfer it.
- Melania Trump spokesperson Nick Clemens said the first lady 'is proud to continue standing up to, and fighting against, those who spread malicious and defamatory falsehoods' and accused Wolff and others of seeking 'undeserved attention and money from their unlawful conduct.'
- The article recounts Melania Trump’s April 2026 public statement at the White House categorically denying any affiliation with Jeffrey Epstein and denouncing 'unfounded and baseless lies' linking her to him.
- Wolff’s complaint is quoted describing the Trumps as having 'made a practice of threatening those who speak against them' with costly legal actions intended to intimidate critics and chill First Amendment activity, and asserting that his 'sham marriage, trophy marriage' comment was protected opinion rather than a factual allegation.
- The article clarifies that Wolff did not allege Melania Trump was involved in Epstein’s crimes, and that her threatened lawsuit was prompted by statements he made to The Daily Beast and in three social-media videos.