Daily Beast Retracts Epstein-Related Article

The Daily Beast withdrew an article on Thursday that indicated a modeling agent linked to the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein introduced him to Melania Trump, wife of former President Donald Trump.

The claims made by author Michael Wolff on The Daily Beast Podcast were replaced with an editorial note expressing regret for any “confusion” after legal representatives for the First Lady reached out to the publication.

The editor’s note stated, “Following this story’s publication, we received a letter from Melania Trump’s legal team, disputing the article’s headlines and framing.” It further added that, “After reviewing the matter, we have removed the article and apologize for any misunderstandings.”

The original content—including headlines, body text, and images—was completely removed from The Daily Beast’s website.

Wolf remarked in the Podcast that Melania was “very involved” in Trump’s connection with Epstein, asserting that “she’s been featured by a model agent in relation to both Trump and Epstein.” He even claimed, “Epstein knows her well.”

Wolff’s reporting has faced skepticism in the past, particularly following his book “Fire & Fury.” Left-leaning journalist Jeet Heer has described Wolff as a “dishonest journalist” who should be viewed with doubt.

In 2018, New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman commented on CNN that the “basic details are wrong” in Wolff’s book, suggesting that the narrative often strays from factual accuracy.

In her memoir, Melania detailed how she first met Trump at a fashion event in New York City in September 1998. She recounted, “I saw my friend waving at someone behind me. When I turned around, I noticed a man approaching us, alongside an attractive blonde woman.” She remembers Trump introducing himself, initiating a conversation that captivated her.

Melania recalled, “From the moment we started talking, I was drawn to his charm and carefree demeanor.” She noted that their interaction felt genuine, standing in contrast to the superficial conversations she usually encountered.

The Trump administration is currently facing increasing pressure from its supporters to disclose more information related to Epstein and the federal child sex trafficking case that involved the late financier, who died in prison in 2019, ruling his death a suicide.