Photo: Alamy
First lady Melania Trump has asked a court to sanction journalist Michael Wolff, arguing that his lawsuit against her was frivolous and an attempt to block her from pursuing a defamation case over statements linking her to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a motion filed Tuesday, the first lady’s attorneys asked the court to order Wolff to pay the legal fees and costs she incurred defending against his lawsuit, along with any other relief the court considers appropriate.
According to Fox News, the filing describes Wolff’s lawsuit as “a fundraising drive and a political spectacle.”
The first lady’s legal team argued that Wolff improperly created a jurisdictional dispute in an effort to keep the case in New York state court and used the litigation process for improper purposes.
“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,” the filing states. “They should pay for Mrs. Trump’s fees and expenses incurred for the process they abused.”
The dispute stems from statements Wolff allegedly made regarding the first lady and Epstein. Attorneys contend Wolff falsely suggested she had significant ties to Epstein despite her repeated denials of any friendship with Epstein or his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” First Lady Melania Trump said in April. “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.”
The sanctions request is the latest development in the ongoing legal battle between the first lady and Wolff over the alleged defamatory statements.
The first lady also previously called on Congress to provide a public hearing for Epstein victims.
“I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors. Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress, with the power of sworn testimony,” she wrote.
“Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public, if she wishes, and then her testimony should be permanently entered into the Congressional Record,” she added.
