Story perspectives

Judge Rejects Wolff's $800K Anti-SLAPP Suit Over Melania Trump Claims

5/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil declined to hear Wolff’s anti-SLAPP suit, deeming it tactical gamesmanship.
Wolff raised $800,000 in small-donor contributions to fund the suit against First Lady Melania Trump.
He filed the suit to have his comments on Melania Trump’s alleged Epstein ties declared protected speech before any defamation action.
Wolff said he will pursue the case in state court and may appeal to a non-Trump-appointed judge.

History

Historical Context

The Supreme Court’s March 9 1964 unanimous 9-0 ruling in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, authored by Justice William Brennan, required public officials to prove actual malice after the Times’ civil-rights ad led to a $500,000 verdict against L.B. Sullivan. That precedent underpins today’s debate, as Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil dismissed Peter Wolff’s anti-SLAPP suit against Melania Trump, reaffirming the balance between defamation safeguards and free speech.

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Story summary

U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil declined to hear Wolff’s anti-SLAPP suit, deeming it tactical gamesmanship.
Wolff raised $800,000 in small-donor contributions to fund the suit against First Lady Melania Trump.
He filed the suit to have his comments on Melania Trump’s alleged Epstein ties declared protected speech before any defamation action.
Wolff said he will pursue the case in state court and may appeal to a non-Trump-appointed judge.

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