Here’s the latest on the Michael Wolff vs. Melania Trump lawsuit situation.
Direct answer
- As of the most recent updates in May 2026, a U.S. federal judge dismissed Michael Wolff’s lawsuit against Melania Trump, ruling that Wolff’s attempt to block her from suing over Epstein-related statements was not appropriate for federal court and effectively ended that particular suit. The decision described Wolff’s filing as a “contorted” use of procedure and indicated the case would not proceed under those terms.[2][4][6]
Key developments
- October 2025–May 2026: Wolff filed a lawsuit in Manhattan seeking to prevent Melania Trump from pursuing a separate $1 billion defamation/damages action over statements alleging Epstein ties. Melania’s side had threatened to sue Wolff for damages, prompting Wolff to seek a federal court shield against that action.[1][5]
- May 22–23, 2026: The court dismissed Wolff’s suit, with the judge calling the request to preempt Melania’s potential suit a misuse of federal process and noting that the appropriate litigation approach is ordinary civil procedure rather than a preemptive federal action. Media coverage described the judge’s ruling as effectively preventing Wolff from blocking Melania’s potential suit, and noted the ruling was a defeat for Wolff in this matter.[3][4][6]
Background context
- Wolff’s underlying claims centered on statements about Melania Trump and her alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein, with Wolff arguing those statements caused reputational and financial damage. Melania’s team asserted rights to pursue damages and sought retractions, apologies, and potentially massive liability against Wolff.[5][1]
- The case drew significant attention due to the high-profile participants and the Epstein context, with multiple outlets reporting on the procedural dismissal and its implications for press freedom and defamation-related litigation.[4][1][2]
What’s next
- Based on the May 2026 rulings, there isn’t an active Wolff vs. Melania Trump case moving forward in federal court on these preemption grounds. If Wolff or Melania pursue new claims or different legal angles, those would be new filings and would require separate updates.[2]
Citations
- Wolff's lawsuit filing and the scope of his claims and Melania’s threatened suit are described here: "Michael Wolff Launches Bombshell Lawsuit Against Melania Trump" and related coverage.[1]
- The May 2026 dismissal and judge’s reasoning are reported by The Guardian and AP-based outlets, noting the judge’s description of Wolff’s approach as a misuse of federal procedure and the dismissal of the claim.[6][3][2]
- Additional contemporaneous reporting summarizing the initial procedural maneuvering and outcomes is included in People, Deadline, and other outlets.[8][4]
If you’d like, I can pull the full text of the May 23, 2026 decision or summarize how the dismissal aligns with anti-SLAPP norms and federal court practice.