Melania Trump is now facing a legal complaint from journalist and author Michael Wolff, who says the First Lady tried to silence him with the threat of a $1 billion libel suit over his reporting related to Jeffrey Epstein.
According to court documents obtained by TheWrap, Wolff alleges that Melania sent a threat letter demanding an apology by Tuesday for what she called “false, defamatory, disparaging, misleading and inflammatory statements” made about her and her alleged ties to the Epstein scandal. The warning was clear: apologize or face a billion-dollar lawsuit.
But Wolff isn’t backing down. In his legal filing, the Fire and Fury author argues that he was doing his job — one that involves asking difficult questions and shining a light where many would rather keep things in the dark.
His attorney states plainly in the filing that Wolff was acting “diligently,” and that his interest in writing about Epstein — including potential links to the Trumps — is part of legitimate journalistic inquiry.
The complaint doesn’t mince words when it comes to the broader implications of Melania’s legal threats. “Mrs. Trump and her ‘unitary executive’ husband along with their MAGA myrmidons have made a practice of threatening those who speak against them with costly SLAPP actions in order to silence their speech, to intimidate their critics generally and to extract unjustified payments and North Korea-style confession and apologies,” it reads.
It goes on to say that these kinds of threats are part of a larger effort to stifle free speech and shut down inquiries into matters the public deserves to understand.
“These threatened legal actions are designed to create a climate of fear in the nation so that people cannot freely or confidently exercise their First Amendment rights,” the filing continues. “The threats are also intended to shut down legitimate inquiry into the Epstein matter, which the Trumps and their collaborators have at every turn sought to impede and suppress.”
Wolff is now seeking to have his legal fees covered, along with both compensatory and punitive damages. His complaint argues that Melania Trump’s legal posturing is chilling not just for him, but for other reporters who might think twice before digging into the Epstein story or any unflattering Trump connections.
“[Mrs. Trump’s claims] impede and chill future reporting and writing that Mr. Wolff has committed to doing regarding Epstein, Mr. Trump and Mrs. Trump,” the complaint states. “In many respects that is the primary purpose of these claims.”
As of now, Melania Trump’s team hasn’t responded to requests for comment. But if this case moves forward, it could have serious implications not just for the Trumps — but for any public figure trying to use intimidation to shut down reporting they don’t like.
