First Lady Melania Trump has threatened to sue Hunter Biden for more than $1 billion in damages unless he retracts comments linking her to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The legal threat stems from remarks Biden made during a July interview in which he alleged that Epstein had introduced the first lady to President Donald Trump.
In a letter dated August 6, Melania Trump’s attorney Alejandro Brito demanded that Biden retract statements he made during an interview with journalist Andrew Callaghan on YouTube channel “Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan.” The letter characterized Biden’s comments as false, defamatory and extremely salacious, causing the first lady to suffer overwhelming financial and reputational harm.
During the original interview posted in July, Biden claimed that Epstein had introduced Melania to Donald Trump, citing author Michael Wolff as his primary source. Biden attributed the information to Wolff’s interviews with Epstein, stating that the connections between Trump and the disgraced financier were extensive and deeply rooted.
When asked during a follow-up interview on Thursday whether he planned to apologize to the first lady, Biden responded with a profane two-word dismissal: “F*** that, not going to happen.” He maintained his position, indicating that his statements were based on information he had heard and seen reported, primarily from Wolff but also dating back to 2019 reporting by publications including The New York Times.
President Trump addressed the controversy on Thursday, pushing back against Biden’s claims during an interview with Fox News Radio host Brian Kilmeade. Trump stated that Epstein had nothing to do with introducing him to his wife and that he could explain exactly how the meeting occurred through another unnamed person. The President indicated he had encouraged his wife to pursue legal action, expressing confidence in their recent lawsuit successes.
The President and first lady have consistently maintained they were introduced by modeling agent Paolo Zampolli at a New York Fashion Week party at the Kit Kat Klub in 1998. Melania Trump documented this account in her memoir “Melania,” describing how she was drawn to Trump’s magnetic energy when he sat down next to her and began a conversation.
Brito’s letter accused Biden of having a vast history of trading on the names of others for personal benefit, suggesting he published the false statements to draw attention to himself. The attorney gave Biden until August 7 at 5:00 p.m. to issue a retraction and apology, warning that failure to comply would leave the first lady no choice but to pursue all available legal remedies.
Despite his defiant stance, Biden could face significant financial challenges if sued. Court documents reveal he carries substantial debt in the millions of dollars due to struggling art sales and mounting legal expenses. However, Biden expressed willingness to participate in depositions with the Trumps regarding Epstein claims, characterizing the legal threats as bullying tactics designed to intimidate him.
The first lady’s legal strategy mirrors tactics frequently employed by her husband, who has aggressively pursued litigation against critics. However, public figures like the Trumps face a high legal standard to succeed in defamation lawsuits, requiring proof of actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth.
This legal action represents part of a broader campaign by Melania Trump’s legal team against those spreading similar claims. Democratic strategist James Carville recently apologized and removed a podcast episode after speculating about an Epstein connection involving the first lady. The Daily Beast also retracted an article making similar allegations after receiving legal threats from Trump’s attorneys.
Biden’s original comments were made during a sprawling interview where he also criticized Democratic Party elites whom he claimed had undermined his father before Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential campaign. The remarks about Epstein were part of broader allegations about connections between Trump and the convicted sex offender who died in prison in August 2019.
The controversy continues to generate significant media attention and social media discussion, with Biden’s remarks being widely reported by outlets around the world. Trump’s administration has faced ongoing pressure to release additional Epstein-related documents, though the Justice Department confirmed in July that a review found no incriminating client list and no credible evidence of blackmail schemes involving famous individuals.
