What Is the Michael Wolff Melania Trump Lawsuit?
The Michael Wolff Melania Trump lawsuit is a federal civil case in which author Michael Wolff sued First Lady Melania Trump after she threatened to sue him for $1 billion over statements linking her to Jeffrey Epstein. It is not a class action or a multidistrict litigation. One plaintiff, Wolff, sued one defendant, Melania Trump.
Wolff mainly asked the court for declarations. He asked it to declare that his statements were not defamatory, and to declare that her threatened suit would violate New York's anti-SLAPP law. A SLAPP is a strategic lawsuit against public participation, meaning a suit meant to burden speech more than to win.
The case started in New York state court and moved to federal court. The court's ruling on it is described under the case status heading below.
“In this case, a chronicler of the First Family sues the First Lady because she threatened to sue him for defamation. While Plaintiff and the First Lady have a real dispute, they must litigate it according to the same procedures as everyone else.”
Source: Wolff v. Trump, No. 1:25-cv-10752-MKV (S.D.N.Y.), Opinion & Order Granting Motion to Dismiss, Document 25, Preliminary Statement (May 22, 2026)
Why Was the Michael Wolff Melania Trump Lawsuit Filed?
The Michael Wolff Melania Trump lawsuit was filed because Wolff wanted to answer her defamation threat before she could sue him. On October 15, 2025, her lawyer Alejandro Brito sent Wolff a demand letter. It demanded a retraction, an apology and a monetary proposal, and it warned of a suit for more than $1 billion.
Wolff says the threat was an attempt to silence him. He had discussed her and Epstein on The Daily Beast's podcast and in social media videos. He filed his own case on October 21, 2025, the date of the letter's deadline. He filed in New York, whose anti-SLAPP law is stronger than Florida's, according to the Public Participation Project as reported by Axios.
Melania Trump's side tells the story differently. Her lawyers say Wolff's statements were false and defamatory, and that he sued to preempt her claim and to raise money. Neither account has been tested on the merits.
What Harms Does the Michael Wolff Melania Trump Lawsuit Allege?
The Michael Wolff Melania Trump lawsuit alleges three distinct harms, and the two sides assert them in opposite directions. Wolff alleges a chilling effect on his reporting and the cost of fighting a billion-dollar threat. Melania Trump alleges reputational and financial harm from his statements. No court has found any of these harms to be proven.
Chilling Effect on Speech
A chilling effect is the deterrence of lawful speech because a person fears a lawsuit, a penalty or the cost of defending against one.
Wolff pleads this harm as the core of his claim. His complaint says the threat was "designed to create a climate of fear" so that people cannot freely exercise First Amendment rights. He says it was meant to stop his reporting on the Trumps and Epstein.
His Second Circuit brief repeats the point, arguing the dismissal leaves him facing the chilling effect without any ruling on his rights, according to The East Hampton Star. Melania Trump denies that she tried to silence legitimate reporting.
Defamation
Defamation is a legal claim that a false statement of fact, communicated to others, harmed a person's reputation.
Melania Trump's side alleges this harm, although she has not sued for it. Her counsel's letter said Wolff's statements caused her "overwhelming reputational and financial harm," per the Associated Press.
Wolff denies defaming her. He says some statements were taken out of context, some were protected opinion, and none accused her of taking part in Epstein's crimes. NBC News reported that she has not been accused of any wrongdoing connected to Epstein.
Litigation Costs
Litigation costs are the attorney fees and court expenses a party pays to bring or defend a case.
Both sides now claim costs. Wolff asked for costs, fees, and compensatory and punitive damages under New York Civil Rights Law sections 70-a and 76-a. Melania Trump asked the court to make Wolff and his lawyer pay her fees as a sanction.
Wolff says his supporters funded his defense. In his own newsletter, he wrote that a GoFundMe page raised about three-quarters of a million dollars from more than 15,000 donors. Her motion calls the fundraising an improper purpose.
What Is the Current Status of the Michael Wolff Melania Trump Lawsuit?
The current status of the Michael Wolff Melania Trump lawsuit is that the district court dismissed it in May 2026, Wolff's appeal is pending, and a sanctions motion against him is fully briefed. The dismissal did not decide whether Wolff's statements were defamatory. No ruling on the sanctions motion or the appeal had been located as of November 7, 2026.
Michael Wolff v. Melania Trump
Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil, a Trump appointee, dismissed the case in a 45-page opinion on May 22, 2026. She held that the court had jurisdiction because the parties are citizens of different states, and she found Melania Trump had shown she is a Florida citizen. She then declined to exercise that jurisdiction under the Declaratory Judgment Act.
The opinion called the case "textbook bad-faith forum-shopping" and said Wolff could raise his defenses if she sues him. It did not reach personal jurisdiction, transfer to Florida, or whether his statements were defamatory.
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York |
| Case Number | 1:25-cv-10752-MKV |
| Judge | Mary Kay Vyskocil |
| Plaintiff | Michael Wolff, represented by David Korzenik |
| Defendant | Melania Trump, represented by Brito PLLC and DLA Piper LLP (US) |
| Claims Pled | Declaratory judgment of non-defamation, and a declaration under New York's anti-SLAPP law (Civil Rights Law sections 70-a and 76-a) |
| Filed | October 21, 2025, in New York Supreme Court, New York County |
| Removed to Federal Court | December 29, 2025 |
| Dismissed | May 22, 2026, on prudential abstention grounds, without reaching the merits |
| Sanctions Motion | Filed July 20, 2026 (Rule 11 and 28 U.S.C. section 1927), fully briefed August 28, 2026, no ruling located |
| Trial Date | None |
| Class Action or MDL | No |
The case has no trial date because it was dismissed before any discovery on the merits. Wolff's team asked for jurisdictional discovery on her residence, and the court rejected that request, according to Wolff's own account of the ruling.
Appeal to the Second Circuit
Wolff filed a notice of appeal on June 17, 2026, from the clerk's judgment and the dismissal opinion. His lawyers filed their opening brief in late October 2026, per The East Hampton Star. The brief asks the Second Circuit to reverse and return the case to New York state court.
The brief argues the district court abused its discretion by taking supplemental jurisdiction over his anti-SLAPP claim and then dismissing it. It also argues Melania Trump never showed by clear and convincing evidence that she changed her domicile to Florida.
| Court | U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit |
| Appellant | Michael Wolff |
| Appellee | Melania Trump |
| Appeal Docket Number | Not located in any source reviewed |
| Notice of Appeal | June 17, 2026 |
| Appellant's Brief | Filed late October 2026, as reported in early November 2026 |
| Decision | None reported |
No appellate argument date or ruling has been reported. Whether the sanctions motion can be decided while the appeal is pending is a procedural question the sources do not address.
Was the Michael Wolff Lawsuit Against Melania Trump Dismissed?
Yes. Judge Vyskocil dismissed the Michael Wolff lawsuit against Melania Trump on May 22, 2026, but the dismissal is on appeal and no one has been awarded money.
No settlement exists in the Michael Wolff Melania Trump lawsuit, and no damages have been awarded to either side. The dismissal is not a finding that Wolff's statements were true or false.
Melania Trump's side described the result as a win. Her spokesperson said she is proud to keep standing up to people who spread "malicious and defamatory falsehoods." Wolff said the ruling was incomplete, and he appealed.
The only money now in dispute is her request for attorney fees and a penalty as sanctions. She has not specified a dollar total in the sources reviewed. A court has not ruled on the request.
The $1 billion figure is the amount her lawyer threatened in October 2025. It is not a claim in this case, because Melania Trump has not been reported to have filed a defamation suit against Wolff.
Michael Wolff Melania Trump Lawsuit Updates and Case Status
Here is the current status of the Michael Wolff Melania Trump lawsuit, updated with new filings, rulings, and case-count reports as they're confirmed. The Wolff v. Trump case continues in active pretrial proceedings as of November 2026, with no global settlement reached. See the full timeline below for every confirmed development since the litigation began.
Michael Wolff Melania Trump Lawsuit Timeline
The Daily Beast Retracts a Wolff Interview Article After a Letter From Melania Trump's Lawyer
The Daily Beast retracted its article headlined "Melania Trump 'Very Involved' in Epstein Scandal: Author" in July 2025, after Alejandro Brito wrote on behalf of Melania Trump. The article was based on an interview with Michael Wolff. The outlet said it did not meet its standards and removed it.
Melania Trump's Lawyer Sends Wolff a Billion-Dollar Demand Letter
Alejandro Brito sent Michael Wolff a demand letter on October 15, 2025 under Florida Statute 770.01. It identified statements as defamatory and demanded a retraction, an apology and a monetary proposal. It set a deadline of October 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST and said Melania Trump would otherwise sue for more than $1 billion.
Wolff Sues Melania Trump in New York Supreme Court
Michael Wolff filed his complaint against Melania Trump in New York Supreme Court, New York County, on October 21, 2025. It pleaded two claims: a declaration that his statements were not actionable libel, and a declaration under New York's anti-SLAPP law that she would owe him costs, fees and damages if she pursued her threat. Wolff's attorney David Korzenik told Axios the suit responded to an effort to silence him.
Melania Trump Removes the Case to Federal Court
Melania Trump, through counsel, filed a notice of removal on December 29, 2025, moving Wolff v. Trump from New York state court to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The notice said she is a Florida citizen, so diversity jurisdiction applied, and the case was assigned to Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil.
Melania Trump Moves to Dismiss or Transfer the Case to Florida
Lawyers for Melania Trump moved on January 26, 2026 to dismiss Wolff v. Trump for lack of personal jurisdiction, insufficient service and failure to state a claim, or alternatively to transfer it to the Southern District of Florida. Inner City Press reported the filing.
Wolff Opposes Dismissal and Asks to Send the Case Back to State Court
Wolff's lawyers opposed the motion to dismiss on February 9, 2026, and cross-moved to remand the case to New York state court or, alternatively, for jurisdictional discovery. Wolff argued that Melania Trump's claim of Florida citizenship was an artifice and that she lives in New York.
Melania Trump Denies Any Friendship With Epstein in a White House Statement
In April 2026, Melania Trump read a statement at the White House saying she had never been friends with Jeffrey Epstein and that lies linking her to him "need to end today." She did not name Michael Wolff in the statement, according to The Hill.
Judge Vyskocil Dismisses Wolff v. Trump
Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil dismissed Wolff v. Trump on May 22, 2026 in a 45-page opinion that found the court had jurisdiction but declined to use it. She wrote that the court "will not be conscripted to oversee an abusively presented spat." The opinion did not decide whether Wolff's statements were defamatory.
Melania Trump's Lawyers Ask for Leave to Seek Sanctions
Lawyers for Melania Trump wrote to Judge Vyskocil on June 5, 2026 asking for a conference on a motion for sanctions against Wolff. Wolff opposed the request, and the judge scheduled a pre-motion conference on June 16 for July 1, 2026, per Inner City Press.
Wolff Files a Notice of Appeal to the Second Circuit
Michael Wolff filed a notice of appeal on June 17, 2026 from the clerk's judgment and memorandum opinion dismissing Wolff v. Trump. The appeal went to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Judge Vyskocil Sets a Sanctions Briefing Schedule After a Pre-Motion Conference
Judge Vyskocil held the pre-motion conference in Wolff v. Trump on July 1, 2026 and ordered that any sanctions motion be filed by July 20, any opposition by August 17, and any reply by August 28. Courthouse News reported she cautioned that the burden for sanctions is high.
Melania Trump Files Her Motion for Sanctions Against Wolff and His Lawyer
Melania Trump filed her sanctions motion in Wolff v. Trump on July 20, 2026 under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 and 28 U.S.C. section 1927. It seeks a penalty, attorney fees and other relief against Wolff and his lawyer. It argues the suit rested on a false claim of New York citizenship, a baseless declaratory claim and improper purposes including fundraising.
The Court Lets Wolff Use Disputed Emails and Calls Against the Sanctions Motion
Judge Vyskocil granted Wolff leave on August 13, 2026 to use certain information in opposing the sanctions motion. It concerned phone calls and emails between Wolff's lawyer and Brito after the October 15, 2025 demand letter. Melania Trump's counsel told the court she did not object, and she disputes that the contacts answered her demand.
Wolff and His Lawyer File Their Opposition to Sanctions
Matthew Schafer, representing Michael Wolff and attorney David Korzenik for the sanctions motion, filed an opposition on August 17, 2026. It argues that opposing a legal threat is not sanctionable, that the New York citizenship allegation was not frivolous, and that improper purpose cannot make a non-frivolous claim sanctionable.
Melania Trump Files Her Reply, Closing the Sanctions Briefing
Melania Trump's counsel filed a reply memorandum in support of the sanctions motion in Wolff v. Trump on August 28, 2026. It completed the briefing schedule that Judge Vyskocil set on July 1, and no ruling on the motion has been located.
Wolff's Lawyers File Their Second Circuit Brief
Wolff's lawyers filed their appellate brief in the Second Circuit in late October 2026, asking the court to reverse the dismissal and return the case to New York state court. The brief argues the ruling gags a journalist on a matter of public concern, according to The East Hampton Star.
What Evidence Matters in the Michael Wolff Melania Trump Lawsuit?
The evidence that matters in the Michael Wolff Melania Trump lawsuit is the demand letter, the challenged statements and the proof of where Melania Trump is a citizen. The court has so far decided only threshold questions, so evidence about whether Epstein-related statements were true has not been tested.
The October 15, 2025 demand letter is the foundation of the case. It identified four sentences in an article as defamatory per se and two as defamatory by implication, plus three Instagram posts, according to Wolff's sanctions opposition. Axios reported that his complaint lists 11 statements.
Residence evidence decided the jurisdiction question. Her notice of removal says Mar-a-Lago has been her primary residence since October 2019, and that she is registered to vote in Florida. It adds that she has voted there in every federal election since 2020 and has held a Florida driver's license since 2021. The court found those allegations enough.
Who Are the Parties in the Michael Wolff Melania Trump Lawsuit?
The main parties in the Michael Wolff Melania Trump lawsuit are author Michael Wolff as plaintiff and First Lady Melania Trump as defendant. Wolff has written four books about President Donald Trump, including Fire and Fury, and co-hosts The Daily Beast's Inside Trump's Head podcast. Melania Trump denies any association with Epstein.
| Person or Firm | Role | What Has Been Reported |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Wolff | Plaintiff and appellant | Author and journalist who lives in New York and sued before being sued |
| Melania Trump | Defendant and appellee | First Lady, who says she is a Florida citizen and threatened a $1 billion defamation suit |
| Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil | Presiding judge | Trump-appointed Southern District of New York judge who dismissed the case on May 22, 2026 |
| David Korzenik | Wolff's lawyer | Represented Wolff in the dismissal fight and is a target of the sanctions motion |
| Alejandro Brito and DLA Piper LLP (US) | Melania Trump's lawyers | Brito sent the demand letter, and DLA Piper's Caryn Schechtman signed the sanctions papers |
| Matthew Schafer | Lawyer for Wolff and Korzenik on sanctions | Filed the August 17, 2026 opposition for Jassy Vick Carolan LLP |
These roles come from court filings and press reports. Melania Trump's spokesperson is Nick Clemens, and he gave the statements quoted by the Associated Press.
How Does the Michael Wolff Melania Trump Lawsuit Compare to Related Cases?
The Michael Wolff Melania Trump lawsuit is one of several legal threats tied to her Epstein denials, and it is the only one that reached a court. The table separates the court case from the threats and retractions that surround it.
| Matter | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wolff v. Trump (this case) | Federal declaratory judgment and anti-SLAPP suit | Dismissed May 22, 2026, on appeal to the Second Circuit |
| Threatened Melania Trump defamation suit against Wolff | Demand letter under Florida Statute 770.01 | No filed suit located. The court said a Florida case may be pending or merely potential |
| Melania Trump's letter to Hunter Biden | Demand letter dated August 6, 2025 | Threatened a $1 billion suit over Epstein comments, and Biden refused to retract, per press reports |
| The Daily Beast article on Wolff's remarks | Retraction, not a lawsuit | Removed in July 2025 after a letter from Brito |
Only the first row is the case this page tracks. The Hunter Biden letter named Wolff as a source, but it started a separate dispute with a different recipient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Michael Wolff Melania Trump lawsuit about?
The Michael Wolff Melania Trump lawsuit is about Wolff's attempt to get a court declaration that his Epstein-related statements were not defamatory. He sued after Melania Trump threatened a $1 billion defamation suit. A judge dismissed it on May 22, 2026.
Is the Michael Wolff Melania Trump lawsuit a class action or an MDL?
The Michael Wolff Melania Trump lawsuit is neither a class action nor an MDL. It is one civil case with one plaintiff and one defendant, Wolff v. Trump, No. 1:25-cv-10752-MKV, in federal court in Manhattan.
Did Melania Trump win the Michael Wolff lawsuit?
Melania Trump won the dismissal of the Michael Wolff lawsuit on May 22, 2026, but the judge did not rule on the merits. Wolff has appealed to the Second Circuit, and her sanctions motion against him is pending.
What is the Melania Trump sanctions motion against Michael Wolff?
The Melania Trump sanctions motion against Michael Wolff is a July 20, 2026 request under Rule 11 and 28 U.S.C. section 1927. It asks the court to make Wolff and his lawyer pay her fees and a penalty. The briefing closed August 28, 2026.
Did Michael Wolff settle with Melania Trump?
Michael Wolff did not settle with Melania Trump. No settlement exists in the case, and no damages have been awarded to either side. Wolff is appealing the dismissal.
Has Melania Trump sued Michael Wolff for defamation?
Melania Trump has threatened to sue Michael Wolff for defamation, but no filed defamation suit against him was located. The threat was the October 15, 2025 demand letter, and the court said a Florida case may be pending or merely potential.