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Tags: Melania Trump | Lawsuit | blogger | judge | ruling

Judge: Melania Trump's Suit Against Blogger Can Go Forward

Judge: Melania Trump's Suit Against Blogger Can Go Forward

(AP)

Friday, 27 January 2017 04:36 PM EST

A judge is allowing first lady Melania Trump to move ahead with her libel lawsuit against a blogger who reported rumors that she worked as a high-end escort.

Trump sued the blogger, Webster Tarpley of Gaithersburg, Md., as well as Britain's Daily Mail newspaper.

Tarpley's lawyer asked a Montgomery County Circuit Court judge to dismiss the case at a pretrial hearing Friday in Rockville. She argues that Tarpley was within his rights to publish rumors that could have affected the presidential campaign.

Trump's lawyer says the rumor's false and that reporters can't make defamatory statements under the guise of reporting rumors. He says it's the reporter's job to vet the rumor before publishing.

The judge rejected Tarpley's motion to dismiss, but deferred ruling on a similar motion from the Daily Mail.

© Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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A judge is allowing first lady Melania Trump to move ahead with her libel lawsuit against a blogger who reported rumors that she worked as a high-end escort.Trump sued the blogger, Webster Tarpley of Gaithersburg, Md., as well as Britain's Daily Mail newspaper.Tarpley's...
Melania Trump, Lawsuit, blogger, judge, ruling
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2017-36-27
Friday, 27 January 2017 04:36 PM
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