A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by journalist Michael Wolff against First Lady Melania Trump, criticizing the case as an improper use of the court system.

The ruling came from Mary Kay Vyskocil, who described the lawsuit as a “contorted” legal maneuver and “not how federal courts work.” While she acknowledged there was a genuine dispute between the parties, she declined to let the case proceed in federal court, calling it an example of “tactical gamesmanship.”

The legal conflict began after Melania Trump’s attorney demanded that Wolff retract statements he made about her, warning of potential legal action. In response, Wolff filed a lawsuit in state court, which was later moved to federal court by Trump’s legal team.

Judge Vyskocil ultimately ruled that although the federal court technically had jurisdiction, it would not hear the case and dismissed it, directing that the matter be handled through standard legal channels instead.

A spokesperson for Melania Trump said she intends to continue fighting what she describes as false and defamatory claims, emphasizing her stance against individuals seeking attention or financial gain through such allegations.

The dispute is tied in part to claims and reporting connected to Jeffrey Epstein, which Melania Trump has strongly denied. She has publicly rejected any association and criticized those spreading such claims.

Wolff, for his part, argued in his filing that some of his statements were taken out of context and constituted protected opinion. He also maintained that he did not accuse the first lady of any criminal involvement.

The case also drew attention after The Daily Beast retracted a related article based on Wolff’s comments following legal pressure.

While the lawsuit’s dismissal ends this phase of the legal battle, the broader dispute over free speech, defamation, and media accountability remains unresolved.