Legal AF by MeidasTouch – Episode Summary
Episode Title: Melania Trump Begs for Judge Cannon to Bail Her Out
Release Date: January 6, 2026
Hosts: Michael Popok (National trial lawyer), Ben Meiselas (Civil rights lawyer, MeidasTouch founder), with commentary from Michael Wolff (journalist/author)
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the escalating legal battle between Melania Trump and journalist Michael Wolff. The focus is on Melania’s “dodging” of legal service in a $1 billion defamation confrontation arising out of Wolff's reporting and commentary—especially regarding connections involving Melania, Donald Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, and explosive claims in the media. The hosts analyze recent filings, Melania’s procedural tactics to avoid litigation in New York, and her apparent attempt to steer the case towards the Southern District of Florida, potentially landing it before Judge Aileen Cannon, a judge with a record of Trump-friendly rulings.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Melania Trump’s Evading of Legal Service
- (00:42–05:00, 09:24–12:00)
- Melania Trump is alleged to be actively avoiding service of process for Wolff’s lawsuit by moving between residences (Mar-a-Lago, Trump Tower, Bedminster).
- Popok likens her evasiveness to “some sort of shell game,” comparing her dodging to “playing whack-a-mole with the process servers.”
- Quote: “Same old Melania, still dodging service like she's some sort of Mike Tyson… bobbing and weaving to avoid it, moving around like you're some sort of MX missile…” (00:42, Popok)
- The process server ultimately handed the legal papers to a doorman at Trump Tower and sent them to her attorney; Melania’s legal team now claims this is improper service.
2. Background: Michael Wolff’s Lawsuit & Melania’s Billion-Dollar Threat
- (02:00–05:26)
- Wolff received a demand letter for $1 billion from Melania Trump’s lawyer, Alejandro Brito, related to statements about Melania’s relationship with Epstein and rumors about her private life.
- Instead of backing down, Wolff preemptively filed his own lawsuit in New York, seeking a declaration that his comments were not actionable as defamation, and asserting they are protected speech under New York’s anti-SLAPP laws.
- Quote (Michael Wolff, guest clip): “[Melania] has threatened to sue me for a billion dollars. I acted before she did and sued her… She certainly has not sued me.” (03:42–03:54)
- Quote: “We are suing under the anti SLAPP laws in New York State, which precisely go after the idea that someone can use libel law or the threats of libel suits to shut you up. That's in New York state, that is illegal.” (04:54, Wolff)
- The nature of Wolff’s reporting—claims based on sources including Jeffrey Epstein—has put the matter in the national spotlight, further entangling the Trump orbit with ongoing civil litigation.
3. Melania's Legal Strategy: Move Case to Judge Cannon?
- (05:26–12:00)
- Melania’s attorneys’ main arguments:
- Improper service of process (lawsuit not handed to her personally).
- Lack of personal jurisdiction in New York.
- Failing dismissal, transfer the case to the Southern District of Florida, where she is “domiciled.”
- The hosts argue service can be obtained in other ways if a party is actively evading, and Melania’s presence in New York (shopping, charity, residency at Trump Tower) undermines claims of lacking jurisdiction.
- Quote: “To say that there's no jurisdiction over her. There's two arguments there... General jurisdiction or specific jurisdiction. General jurisdiction is you are so much in that state, like where you live, that we can sue you for anything anywhere in your state. That's general jurisdiction over you. Specific is you don't maybe live in the state, but you're there enough. Or the events around the cause of action arose or occurred in New York.” (09:24, Popok)
- The clear implication: Melania’s team appears intent on transferring the matter to a friendlier venue, potentially before Judge Aileen Cannon, perceived as favorable to Trump interests.
- Melania’s attorneys’ main arguments:
4. Procedural Details & Filings
- (12:00–19:30)
- In federal court, pre-motion letters and conference calls with judges set the scene before formal motion filings—contrasted with the procedure in New York State court.
- Popok reads directly from Melania’s legal team’s letter emphasizing service, jurisdiction, and requests for transfer.
- Quote: “We represent the First Lady of the United States… We anticipate filing a motion to dismiss for insufficient service of process. See, they lead off with, what they think is their strongest argument. The doorman got served… What a coward. Lack of personal jurisdiction. You can't sue me in New York even though my Name's on the building. And failure to state a claim or to transfer the case to the Southern District of Florida… I think that's the one they really want.” (13:30, Popok)
- Speculation on whether the case, if moved to Florida, would land before Rosenberg or Cannon. The latter is seen as the target venue for Melania.
5. Substance of the Defamation & Anti-SLAPP Arguments
- (17:00–19:30)
- Discussion pivots to whether it's valid to ask a court for a declaration of truth/non-defamation—a right Wolff claims under New York's anti-SLAPP law.
- Popok is highly skeptical of Melania’s team’s claim that such declarations are not allowed in court.
- Quote: “You can absolutely do this. Or that this is a SLAPP strategic litigation against public participation case to try to chill somebody's First Amendment rights. I totally disagree. I don't think they know what they’re talking about.” (18:30, Popok)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Same old Melania, still dodging service like she's some sort of Mike Tyson…”
— Michael Popok, 00:42 - “She has threatened to sue me for a billion dollars. I acted before she did and sued her… She certainly has not sued me.”
— Michael Wolff, 03:54 - “We are suing under the anti SLAPP laws in New York State which… go after the idea that someone can use libel law or the threats of libel suits to shut you up.”
— Michael Wolff, 04:54 - “You can't sue me in New York even though my name's on the building.”
— Michael Popok, 13:40 - “I think that's the one they really want. They want to get this in front of Judge Cannon or try to.”
— Michael Popok, 14:30
Important Segment Timestamps
- 00:42 – Opening on Melania dodging service & background
- 03:25–05:26 – Clip with Michael Wolff discussing legal threats and anti-SLAPP
- 09:24 – Discussion of personal jurisdiction over Melania in New York
- 12:00 – Melania’s legal filing: details and strategy for dismissal/transfer
- 14:00–15:10 – Popok explains fate of the case if transferred to Florida
- 17:00–19:30 – First Amendment, anti-SLAPP law, and major points of legal contention
Conclusion & Host Perspectives
Michael Popok and the team are clear-eyed about the legal and procedural maneuvering: Melania’s team is using technicalities to try to evade the suit in New York and, failing that, transfer it to the Southern District of Florida—possibly aiming for Judge Cannon. The hosts are skeptical this will succeed, characterizing the actions as transparent and legally hollow, especially given Melania’s ties to New York and the increasing intolerance of courts for such evasive maneuvers.
For More:
Catch ongoing coverage on Legal AF’s podcast, YouTube channel, or Substack for written updates, filings, and deeper dives into the latest legal battles at the intersection of law and politics.