First Lady Melania Trump has hired a new high-powered legal team to defend herself in a lawsuit brought by author Michael Wolff that could force her to answer questions about her relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Wolff revealed on a podcast that Melania Trump has retained DLA Piper, one of the world’s largest law firms, to handle the case. The first lady, 55 years old, specifically hired partner Josh Halpern, a former Supreme Court clerk, marking a significant escalation in her legal strategy.
The lawsuit stems from Melania Trump’s threat to sue Wolff for $1 billion after he published information about her and President Donald Trump’s connections to Epstein. In response, Wolff filed a SLAPP lawsuit—Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation—in October in New York City. The suit invokes special New York state laws designed to protect reporters and free speech from intimidation through threatened litigation.
Wolff has raised more than $775,000 to fund his legal fight. Once the first lady is officially served with the lawsuit, the SLAPP action would grant Wolff subpoena power, potentially allowing him to depose Melania Trump and question her under oath about the Epstein relationship.
According to Wolff, serving the lawsuit has proven difficult. He disclosed that one firm declined to work with his attorneys, while a second firm was unable to complete service. In response to these challenges, Wolff filed a Motion for Alternative Service, asking the court to either deem her served or propose an acceptable method for serving her.
The new DLA Piper legal team has requested that the case be moved from state to federal court. A filing in the Supreme Court of the State of New York lists Melania Trump’s initial counsel, Alejandro Brito of Coral Gables, Florida, along with Halpern as “of counsel” for the case.
“This is what Trump always does,” Wolff told co-host Joanna Coles. “Hires some new firm, asks questions later.”
Writing on his Substack newsletter, Wolff suggested the move to federal court and the hiring of new attorneys represented an attempt to delay the case. He theorized that the first lady’s options include running out the clock through delay tactics or potentially seeking a settlement.
Regarding a possible settlement, Wolff outlined strict hypothetical terms. “I might, what if they were to say, [and] they’re not going to say this, but what if they were to say that they would enter into covenants never again to sue any media organization for libel? Would I accept that?” he said. “Possibly, yes. But it would have to be something as definitive as that.”
The Epstein connection has remained a sensitive issue for President Trump, 79 years old, throughout his political career. Photographs from 2000 show Donald and Melania Trump with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago and other social events in New York City. These images have circulated widely as scrutiny of Epstein’s relationships with powerful figures has intensified.
The Trump administration faced additional pressure over the Epstein files when Representative Lauren Boebert joined a small group of Republicans backing a discharge petition to force a House vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Boebert met with White House officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, as the administration attempted to dissuade her from supporting the measure.
Despite White House opposition, the House passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act on November 18 by a vote of 427-1. Boebert was among the Republicans instrumental in forcing the vote. Trump signed the bill into law, triggering the release of documents related to Epstein’s activities and associates.
The legal battle between Wolff and the first lady represents an unusual confrontation between a sitting first lady and a journalist. SLAPP lawsuits are specifically designed to prevent wealthy or powerful individuals from using the threat of expensive litigation to silence critics and journalists. By filing the suit, Wolff turned the tables on Melania Trump’s threatened defamation action, forcing her into a defensive legal posture.
The involvement of DLA Piper signals the seriousness with which the first lady views the case. As one of the world’s largest law firms, DLA Piper has extensive resources and experience in complex litigation. The selection of Halpern, with his Supreme Court clerkship background, suggests preparation for potential appeals and high-stakes legal arguments.
Wolff, who has written extensively about Trump and his administration, believes the first lady cannot allow the subpoena power to take effect. The prospect of being questioned under oath about Epstein and related matters poses significant risks for Melania Trump, potentially exposing sensitive information about the timeline and nature of the Trump family’s relationship with the disgraced financier.
The move to federal court could provide several strategic advantages for the first lady’s legal team. Federal courts often have different procedural rules and timelines than state courts, and the change in venue might introduce additional delays. Federal judges may also view certain legal questions differently than their state counterparts.
A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team responded to the developments with a statement attacking Wolff’s credibility, noting that media outlets have made multiple retractions of his statements. The White House referred inquiries to Trump’s legal team.
The case unfolds as documents related to Epstein continue to emerge following passage of the transparency legislation. Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, maintained relationships with numerous high-profile individuals across politics, business, and entertainment. Maxwell, his longtime associate, was convicted of sex trafficking.
Photographs from parties at Mar-a-Lago and Trump Tower in 2000 have become focal points in discussions about the Trump-Epstein relationship. The images show the couples socializing at events during the period when Donald Trump was a prominent New York real estate developer and Melania was establishing herself in American society.
On December 31, 2025, Donald and Melania Trump attended a New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, where the president continues to maintain his primary residence when not at the White House. The Florida estate has remained central to Trump’s social and political activities throughout his career.
As the legal proceedings continue, the question of when and how Melania Trump will be formally served with the lawsuit remains unresolved. The Motion for Alternative Service filed on January 3, 2026, may force the court to intervene and establish a method for ensuring the first lady receives legal notice of the case against her.