Judge Warns Melania Trump’s Lawyers Over Sanctions Push Against Michael Wolff (7/3/26)

A Manhattan federal judge warned Melania Trump’s lawyers to be careful as they pursue sanctions against journalist and Trump biographer Michael Wolff, even after the court had already dismissed Wolff’s anti-SLAPP lawsuit against her. Wolff had filed the case after Melania Trump threatened a $1 billion defamation suit over comments he made linking her to Jeffrey Epstein, allegations her side has rejected. Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil previously dismissed Wolff’s lawsuit as an improper attempt to head off a defamation case before it was filed, but when Trump’s lawyers said they still wanted sanctions against Wolff, the judge cautioned that sanctions require more than simply arguing that the lawsuit was weak or wrong.The hearing framed the fight as a continuing legal clash over press speech, defamation threats, and courtroom strategy. Melania Trump’s team argued that Wolff’s lawsuit was frivolous and deserved punishment, while Wolff’s side argued the sanctions push was another escalation meant to intimidate and drain him financially. Vyskocil appeared skeptical of turning the dismissed case into a sanctions battle, noting the high bar for punishment and warning Trump’s attorneys not to overreach. The result is that Melania Trump won the first round by getting Wolff’s case tossed, but the judge signaled that trying to keep the fight alive through sanctions may be a much harder sell.to contact me:[email protected]:Judge cautions Melania Trump against trying to sanction journalist Michael Wolff | Courthouse News Service