Melania Trump asks judge to sanction Michael Wolff after dismissed lawsuit
Melania Trump wants Michael Wolff and his lawyer sanctioned after his lawsuit over Jeffrey Epstein-related claims was tossed in May.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
Melania Trump is asking a court to make journalist Michael Wolff and his attorney pay after Wolff’s lawsuit against her was thrown out, according to TMZ.
The first lady filed a request Tuesday seeking sanctions, attorneys’ fees and any other relief the judge considers appropriate, TMZ reported. In the filing, Trump claims Wolff and his lawyer used the federal court system for improper purposes and put allegations before the court without evidence.
The fight stems from comments Wolff allegedly made connecting Trump to Jeffrey Epstein. Wolff previously sued Trump, claiming she had threatened legal action over statements he made about her and Epstein, according to TMZ.
Trump’s side says Wolff falsely suggested she had a close relationship with Epstein. Her team claims those statements were defamatory and says it sent Wolff a letter demanding that he stop making them, TMZ reported.
According to Trump’s filing, Wolff did not answer that demand directly. Instead, she claims, he filed his own lawsuit as harassment.
A dismissed lawsuit, now a sanctions fight
Wolff’s case against Trump was dismissed in May. TMZ reported that the judge criticized Wolff at the time, accusing him of “gamesmanship,” “forum-shopping” and misuse of the declaratory judgment process.
According to TMZ, the judge said Wolff appeared to be trying to get into court before Trump could file a case against him. Trump is now pointing to that ruling as part of her argument that Wolff and his attorney should face consequences.
Sanctions can be sought when a party claims a lawsuit or court filing was improper, unsupported or brought for an abusive purpose. Trump’s request asks the judge to order Wolff and his lawyer to cover the legal fees she says she spent in the proceedings.
The filing adds another round to a legal clash involving one of the best-known journalists to write about Donald Trump’s orbit and the former first lady’s public pushback against claims involving Epstein.
TMZ said it contacted Wolff for comment and had not heard back. No response from Wolff or his attorney was reported.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.