In a rare public mea culpa, the Daily Beast has now reportedly walked back a sensational claim involving President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — all based on allegations from author Michael Wolff, a writer widely criticized for his tenuous relationship with the truth.
The now-deleted article had promoted Wolff’s unsubstantiated assertion that Epstein somehow facilitated the introduction between Donald and Melania Trump. But after receiving a strongly worded letter from Mrs. Trump’s attorney, the outlet issued a retraction.
“After this story was published, The Beast received a letter from First Lady Melania Trump’s attorney challenging the headline and framing of the article,” an editor’s note now reads in place of the article. “After reviewing the matter, the Beast has taken down the article and apologizes for any confusion or misunderstanding.”
Wolff, whose reputation for fabrications dates back years, is no stranger to controversy. In 2018, he falsely implied that President Trump was having an affair with then-U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley — a claim that was swiftly debunked and widely condemned. Nevertheless, certain media circles continue to give Wolff an audience, to the bewilderment of journalists and political insiders alike.
Axios’s Alex Isenstadt was one of the first to flag the retraction, noting that the outlet had deleted the article Thursday afternoon.
Colleagues Marc Caputo and Alex Thompson joined in the criticism, sharing a satirical Saturday Night Live clip mocking Wolff and MSNBC anchors Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough for previously indulging his unfounded claims.
The backlash was particularly strong from conservative commentators. Republican strategist Steve Guest questioned why Wolff is still given a platform, writing, “Why any outlet gives Michael Wolff any column inches in 2025 is BEYOND me,” while also posting a montage of bipartisan figures denouncing the author’s credibility.
GOP operative Luke Thompson took a more direct swipe at the Beast itself: “A serious publication would have editorial standards to avoid such a thing. But the Daily Beast is not a serious publication.”
The episode reflects broader frustrations among conservatives with what they see as a media culture too eager to amplify salacious — and often unverified — stories when they target figures on the right.
The fact that the Beast so quickly capitulated after legal intervention from Melania Trump’s legal team further highlights the shaky foundation of the original claim.
For many, the takeaway is clear: In the current media landscape, accuracy and credibility still matter — even if it takes a legal threat to enforce them.
