Melania Trump’s lawyers make Daily Beast retract Epstein story and issue apology over ‘defamatory’ claims
WASHINGTON, DC: The Daily Beast has removed an article linking first lady Melania Trump to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein after receiving a legal challenge from her attorneys, marking another escalation in the White House's effort to quash what it views as defamatory reporting.
The now-deleted article cited author and journalist Michael Wolff, who alleged during a recent podcast appearance that Melania had been introduced to Donald Trump through a modeling agent affiliated with Epstein, a claim Wolff provided no evidence for.
Although the original story has been taken down, the video remains available on YouTube, with the relevant conversation beginning around the 26:36 mark. This is the part which the first lady's lawyers found objectionable.
Daily Beast deletes article after legal pushback from Melania Trump’s attorneys
Following publication, Melania Trump’s legal team issued a letter contesting both the headline and the framing of the article.
“Editor’s Note. After this story was published, The Beast received a letter from first lady Melania Trump’s attorney challenging the headline and framing of the article,” reads an editor’s note now replacing the article. “After reviewing the matter, the Beast has taken down the article and apologizes for any confusion or misunderstanding.”
The article’s original URL now redirects to a placeholder.
Michael Wolff ties Melania Trump’s modeling roots to Jeffrey Epstein’s social circle
Michael Wolff made the explosive allegations on 'The Daily Beast Podcast' in a conversation with content chief Joanna Coles, claiming Melania Trump was “very involved” in Jeffrey Epstein’s social circles and had met Donald Trump through a modeling agent tied to both men.
“She was introduced by a model agent, both of whom Trump and Epstein are involved with. She’s introduced to Trump that way. Epstein knew her well,” Wolff alleged.
The agent at the center of scrutiny is believed to be Paolo Zampolli, the founder of ID Models. Zampolli, who played a key role in helping Melania emigrate to the United States during the 1990s, is also reported to have had ties to both Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Wolff’s own credibility has long been questioned in journalistic circles. His best-selling Trump expose 'Fire and Fury' was riddled with anonymous quotes, disputed anecdotes, and at least one past incident where he impliedand, then denied, that Nikki Haley had an affair with Trump.
Then-UN Ambassador Haley called the suggestion “disgusting,” and and “highly offensive.”
Jeffrey Epstein controversy intensifies among Donald Trump’s base
The takedown of the article came at a time of renewed Republican tension over Jeffrey Epstein case, with President Donald Trump increasingly at odds with his own base over calls for transparency.
Earlier this year, Attorney General Pam Bondi handed out binders labeled “Epstein Files” to conservative influencers in an attempt to ease pressure, but the documents failed to reveal anything new, triggering an outcry. Bondi later implied that a “client list” was “sitting” on her desk, though she walked the comment back, saying she meant the file, not an actual list.
The Department of Justice eventually issued a brief two-page memo stating that no “client list” existed and asserting there was no “credible evidence” that Jeffrey Epstein had blackmailed others through his s*x trafficking network. However, the release did little to satisfy growing demands for full transparency, particularly among Trump’s base, where conspiracy theories continue to thrive.
