News outlet removes article after backlash over false claims; apologizes to Melania Trump and edits podcast episode
The Daily Beast Pulls Article Linking Melania Trump to Jeffrey Epstein
The Daily Beast has officially retracted an article that suggested Melania Trump was introduced to Donald Trump through convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, citing that the story did not meet editorial standards.
The now-deleted article was based on allegations made by journalist Michael Wolff during an interview. In response to a letter from the First Lady’s legal team, the publication has also removed parts of a podcast episode that referenced the same claims.
What The Daily Beast Said in Their Apology
In a public statement, The Daily Beast acknowledged the removal of the article and issued a direct apology to Melania Trump and its readers.
“Upon reflection, we have determined that the article did not meet our standards and has therefore been removed from our platforms,” the outlet said.
Key actions taken by The Daily Beast:
- Removed the article titled “Melania Trump ‘Very Involved’ in Epstein Scandal: Author”
- Deleted a podcast segment from The Daily Beast Podcast titled “Trump’s Epstein Scandal Can’t Stop Won’t Stop”
- Acknowledged Melania’s autobiography as the definitive account of her life story
- Issued a formal apology to Melania Trump and the publication’s readership
“The first lady points to her bestselling book, Melania, as the definitive account of her life story. We apologise to the first lady and our readers.”
Melania Trump Responds to Retraction
Melania Trump shared the retraction on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption:
“Retraction and apology from The Daily Beast.”
The move came following legal intervention by her attorneys demanding corrective action from the media outlet.
What Did Michael Wolff Claim?
The controversial article and podcast drew from statements made by journalist Michael Wolff, who alleged Melania Trump was deeply involved in Donald Trump’s connection to Epstein.
Wolff claimed:
- Melania was introduced to Trump through a modeling agent connected to both Trump and Epstein
- She was allegedly “very involved” in Trump’s relationship with Epstein
- Epstein was said to “know her well”
These claims were made during an episode of The Daily Beast Podcast, and formed the basis of the now-retracted article.
Trump’s Response & Past Defamation Lawsuit
Earlier this year, Donald Trump launched a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal after it published a 2003 birthday letter allegedly written by him to Epstein.
Key points from that controversy:
- The letter included a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman, signed by Trump, and read:
“Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” - Trump denied writing the letter, stating: “It’s not my signature and it’s not the way I speak. It’s nonsense.”
- However, The New York Times released older Trump-signed letters showing similar handwriting and style, raising questions about authenticity.
Media Retractions and Legal Pressure
The retraction by The Daily Beast comes amid increasing legal scrutiny and public sensitivity around false claims involving high-profile figures and the late Jeffrey Epstein. The case also highlights how quickly unverified information can spread online — and the legal consequences media outlets face when editorial standards are not upheld.
