According to reports from the Associated Press and Axios, Wolff — best known for his political bestsellers such as Fire and Fury and Siege — claims that Melania Trump’s legal team issued a severe threat after he made remarks implying that her name had surfaced in conversations surrounding Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender.

Wolff’s lawsuit alleges that the former First Lady’s response was meant to silence him and intimidate journalists who attempt to report on sensitive or controversial topics connected to the Trump family. The complaint, filed earlier this week, states that Melania’s legal representatives warned of a lawsuit “exceeding $1 billion in damages” if Wolff did not retract his statements.

The author insists his comments were made in the context of legitimate journalistic inquiry and fall under protected speech. Wolff further contends that Melania Trump’s legal threats amount to an effort to stifle freedom of expression and suppress reporting on matters of public interest.

A spokesperson for Melania Trump has not yet responded publicly to the new lawsuit. However, her legal team previously dismissed Wolff’s statements as “baseless and defamatory,” arguing that they were designed to generate publicity and harm her reputation.

Jeffrey Epstein’s long history of associations with public figures has continued to spark controversy and speculation years after his death in 2019. While no evidence has publicly tied Melania Trump to Epstein’s criminal activities, Wolff’s claims and the resulting lawsuit have reignited debate about the boundaries between journalism, defamation, and public accountability.

As of now, the case remains in early stages, with no court date set.