Melania Trump seeks sanctions against Michael Wolff over his tossed lawsuit

First Lady Melania Trump filed a petition for sanctions against journalist Michael Wolff on Tuesday.

Wolff unsuccessfully sued Melania Trump to stop her from suing him for $1 billion for defamatory statements she made about her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Earlier this year, a federal judge threw out Wolff’s lawsuit against the first lady, calling it a “distorted” effort and “contrary to the operation of the federal courts.”

Melania Trump is now seeking costs incurred in these lawsuits and reasonable attorneys’ fees, as well as other appropriate relief, saying Wolff’s lawsuit is a “fundraising campaign and a political stunt.”

Trump lawyer Alejandro Brito thinks the sanctions are necessary for at least three independent reasons. Brito accused Wolff of creating a jurisdictional dispute, using the case for improper purposes and making “frivolous” claims in order to keep the case in New York state court.

“Plaintiff and her attorney asserted a legally frivolous claim, supported it with factual allegations without any evidentiary support, and used them to wage a political and commercial campaign. They should pay Mrs. Trump’s fees and costs for the process they abused,” the First Lady’s legal team said.

The first lady’s legal team said Wolff falsely claimed he was heavily involved in the Epstein scandal. His team filed a pre-suit notice under Florida’s anti-defamation law identifying the defamatory statements and demanding a retraction and apology. Wolff never responded to the demand letter, instead filing an unsuccessful lawsuit against Melania Trump, according to the court filing.

JUDGE LAUNCHED MICHAEL WOLFF’S CASE AGAINST MELANIA TRUMP, SAID ‘IT’S CROPPED’, NOT HOW THE COURTS WORK

First Lady Melania Trump has denied any involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo)

“Plaintiff filed a manifestly unfounded lawsuit and used it to publicly harass Mrs. Trump. The requested sanctions are not contingent on a finding that Plaintiff’s statements are defamatory. They are based on unsupported and mischaracterized federal statements, improper use of these documents, counsel’s reproduction of federal proceedings, and the Court’s findings that the action itself was presented in bad faith as malicious forum shopping. These independent grounds warrant sanctions against the First Lady’s legal team, Plaintiff, and her attorney.” He argued that it would be implemented.

Wolff, a controversial author known in media circles for his divisive reporting ethics, has written four bestselling books about the president: “Fire and Fury,” “Siege,” “Landslide” and “All or Nothing.”

The first lady has denied any involvement with Epstein, who died behind bars in 2019 while awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges. His death was reported to be suicide.

DAILY BAST APOLOGIES TO MELANIA TRUMP FOR ARTICLE RETRACTING EPSTEIN CLAIMS

Michael Wolff entered into a legal battle with First Lady Melania Trump. (Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan)

Last summer, the Daily Beast retracted an article titled “Melania Trump ‘Very Involved’ in the Epstein Scandal: Author,” based on an interview with Wolff, after receiving a letter from Brito.

Wolff did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Fox News Digital’s Brie Stimson contributed to this report.