Story perspectives

Judge Dismisses Wolff Suit Against Melania, Calls Filing Contorted

5/26/2026

Summary

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit

U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil dismissed Michael Wolff’s lawsuit against First Lady Melania Trump on May 22, 2026.
Vyskocil said the parties have a real dispute but must follow ordinary procedures, declining to exercise federal jurisdiction.
U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil called Wolff’s pre-emptive anti-SLAPP filing “contorted” and condemned his “inappropriate level of tactical gamesmanship.”
First Lady Melania Trump’s spokesperson Nick Clemens said she will continue standing up against malicious, defamatory falsehoods.

Summary

Wolff Raises

Michael Wolff raised $800,000 in contributions to fund his lawsuit against the first lady.
Melania Trump denied any Epstein affiliation in an April White House address, saying they shared party invitations.
The Daily Beast retracted the Epstein claim story and issued a public apology.
Wolff will pursue state and federal courts to avoid a Trump-appointed judge.
Alejandro Brito’s cease-and-desist letter demanded a retraction, apology, and threatened a $1 billion defamation lawsuit.

History

Historical Context

After the 1964 unanimous Supreme Court ruling in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan—authored by Justice William J. Brennan Jr. and requiring public officials to prove actual malice, a standard that arose from a 1960 civil-rights ad and a $500,000 jury award—Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil dismissed Michael Wolff’s 2026 defamation suit against First Lady Melania Trump, reaffirming the same high burden of proof.

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Judge Dismisses Lawsuit

U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil dismissed Michael Wolff’s lawsuit against First Lady Melania Trump on May 22, 2026.
Vyskocil said the parties have a real dispute but must follow ordinary procedures, declining to exercise federal jurisdiction.
U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil called Wolff’s pre-emptive anti-SLAPP filing “contorted” and condemned his “inappropriate level of tactical gamesmanship.”
First Lady Melania Trump’s spokesperson Nick Clemens said she will continue standing up against malicious, defamatory falsehoods.

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