The Daily Beast has pulled a controversial article written by Michael Wolff that alleged First Lady Melania Trump was introduced to Donald Trump through a modeling agent connected to Jeffrey Epstein — a claim that triggered immediate legal action from the First Lady’s attorneys.
Following a letter from Melania Trump’s legal team challenging the headline and framing of the piece, the outlet deleted the article and posted an editor’s note apologizing for the “confusion or misunderstanding.”
“After this story was published, The Beast received a letter from First Lady Melania Trump’s attorney… The Beast has taken down the article and apologizes,” the note reads.
The original article URL now redirects to a notice:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/epstein-this-story-has-been-removed
Wolff’s Disputed Claim
In the now-deleted article, Wolff alleged:
“[Melania] was very involved in this Epstein relationship… She’s introduced by a model agent, both of whom Trump and Epstein are involved with. Epstein knows her well.”
The claim was first made during a Daily Beast podcast interview with Joanna Coles, where Wolff was promoting his latest speculation-laden narrative about President Trump’s alleged ties to Epstein.
The Facts: Trump Met Melania in 1998 at a Fashion Week Party
According to public records and both Trump and Melania’s own past interviews, the couple met in 1998 at a Fashion Week party in New York City — years before Epstein’s criminal activities became widely known.
Melania has never been implicated in any association with Epstein, and Wolff offered no documented evidence to support his claims.
Legal Pressure Shuts It Down
Melania Trump’s legal team reportedly moved swiftly, demanding that The Daily Beast retract the story and correct the record.
Facing a likely defamation suit, the outlet responded by scrubbing the article, issuing a public apology, and removing promotional references.
Trump Allies Blast “Fake Smears”
Trump allies accused Wolff and The Daily Beast of engaging in politically motivated slander:
“This is what fake news looks like — smearing the First Lady with disgusting falsehoods for clicks,” one Trump advisor told Fox News.
