First Lady Melania Trump is facing a lawsuit filed by author Michael Wolff, who alleges that she threatened him with a billion-dollar legal claim for writing about her purported connections to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The lawsuit, submitted on Tuesday in New York Supreme Court in Manhattan, contends that Trump’s legal threats against Wolff aim to harass and intimidate him, thereby impeding his right to free speech.
Included in the filing is a letter from Trump’s attorney, Alejandro Brito, which demands that Wolff “immediately retract” and apologize for what they claim are “false, defamatory, disparaging, misleading, and inflammatory statements” regarding Melania Trump’s relationship with Epstein in his book, “Fire and Fury.” The lawsuit refers to this communication as the “Threat Letter.”
In the letter, Trump is said to have sought monetary compensation for the alleged “overwhelming reputational and financial harm” caused by Wolff’s assertions linking her to Epstein. Furthermore, the letter warns that if Wolff does not meet her demands for compensation by the deadline of October 21, legal action will ensue.
Following the lawsuit’s filing, a spokesperson for Melania Trump stated that she is committed to challenging those who circulate misleading and defamatory claims, asserting that such actions are attempts to gain unwarranted attention and financial benefit.
The legal documents also claim that both Melania Trump and her husband, President Donald Trump, have a history of threatening individuals who criticize them, ostensibly to suppress dissent and compel unwarranted retributions and apologies. Wolff, known for covering the Trump administration extensively, cites a variety of recorded interviews with Epstein as part of his research.
Wolff contends that his comments about Melania Trump, which spurred the Threat Letter, were misrepresented and taken out of context, insisting that he did not defame her. The historical connections between Donald Trump and Epstein, especially during the 1990s and 2000s, have received significant media attention, though neither Trump has faced accusations of criminal conduct related to Epstein.
This lawsuit underscores the ongoing controversies surrounding the Trump family and their handling of public perception, particularly regarding sensitive matters connected to Epstein and allegations of misconduct within their circle. The outcome of this legal dispute may further illuminate the tensions between public figures and the media in the age of rapidly disseminated information.