Melania Trump filed a motion for sanctions against journalist Michael Wolff on Tuesday. This follows Wolff's unsuccessful lawsuit aimed at preventing her from suing him for $1 billion over alleged defamatory statements regarding her involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. A federal judge had previously dismissed Wolff’s lawsuit, describing it as a 'contorted' effort that did not align with federal court procedures.
In her motion, Melania Trump seeks to recover costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred during the legal proceedings, arguing that Wolff's lawsuit served as a 'fundraising drive and a political spectacle.' Her attorney, Alejandro Brito, contends that sanctions are justified due to Wolff's alleged creation of a jurisdictional dispute to keep the case in New York state court, improper use of litigation, and the filing of a 'frivolous' claim.
Brito stated, 'Plaintiff and his counsel asserted a legally frivolous claim, propped it up with factual contentions that lacked any evidentiary support, and used them to run a political and commercial campaign.' Melania Trump's legal team asserts that Wolff incorrectly claimed she was significantly involved in the Epstein scandal and previously sent a notice under Florida’s anti-defamation law demanding a retraction and apology, which Wolff did not respond to before filing his lawsuit.
Wolff, known for his controversial reporting ethics, has authored several bestsellers about the Trump presidency. Melania Trump has denied any association with Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges related to child sex trafficking. The Daily Beast previously retracted an article alleging her involvement in the Epstein scandal after receiving a letter from her lawyer. Wolff did not respond to a request for comment.