On October 7 and 8, 2025, HarperCollins UK, one of the world’s most prominent publishing houses, issued a rare and sweeping apology to former First Lady Melania Trump, announcing the immediate recall of an unauthorized biography of Prince Andrew that repeated unverified claims about her introduction to Donald Trump. The publisher’s decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing battle over the legacy of Jeffrey Epstein and the reputations of those who have, fairly or not, found themselves in his shadow.
The book in question—alternately titled Prince Andrew: Power, Privilege, and the Palace and The Rise and Fall of the House of York in various outlets—was written by historian Andrew Lowine and released on August 14, 2025. Its primary focus was the Duke of York’s entanglements with Epstein, the financier whose 2019 death in jail while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges stunned the world. But tucked into its pages was a claim that Epstein had "facilitated" the first meeting between Melania Knauss, then a model, and Donald Trump in the late 1990s. As reported by NBC News and Newsweek, this assertion was based on years-old online speculation, never substantiated by credible evidence.
Melania Trump has long and forcefully denied any such connection, maintaining that she met Donald Trump at a New York party in 1998, introduced by Italian businessman Paolo Zampolli. This account is detailed in her memoir and corroborated by multiple interviews. Her spokesperson reiterated to Axios that "Mrs. Trump’s legal team is actively ensuring immediate retractions and apologies by those who spread malicious, defamatory falsehoods. Her memoir clearly states that she met Donald Trump through a mutual acquaintance at a New York party in 1998—any claim to the contrary is false and defamatory."
The publisher’s formal statement, shared widely and reposted by Melania Trump on X (formerly Twitter), was unequivocal: "We have decided to remove several pages from Prince Andrew: Power, Privilege, and the Palace that contained unverified references concerning the personal history of former First Lady Melania Trump. Copies of the book that include those references are being permanently removed from distribution. HarperCollins UK apologizes to the First Lady."
Such a move is highly unusual in the publishing world. Recalling a printed book is expensive and potentially damaging to a publisher’s reputation, but in this case, the risk of legal action under the United Kingdom’s strict libel laws likely played a significant role. As media law experts note, British courts place the burden of proof on publishers to demonstrate the truth of contested statements—a much higher hurdle than in the United States, where public figures must prove actual malice.
HarperCollins UK’s swift action follows a pattern of legal victories for Melania Trump in recent years. As Axios and Newsweek reported, she has previously secured retractions and apologies from outlets such as The Daily Beast and a podcast hosted by Democratic strategist James Carville for repeating similar allegations. In 2017, she settled with The Daily Mail after it published claims that she had once worked for an escort service, resulting in a public apology and damages. This summer, her legal team also demanded retractions from media personalities and even sought $1 billion in damages from Hunter Biden over a related suggestion, which he refused to retract.
Despite the publisher’s apology and the removal of the offending passages, the episode has reignited debate over the lasting influence of Jeffrey Epstein’s social network. Epstein, whose web of relationships included royalty, politicians, and business moguls, remains a source of fascination and suspicion. As MENAFN and Axios noted, Donald Trump himself was acquainted with Epstein during the 1990s and early 2000s, with photos documenting their attendance at the same social events. Trump has since claimed a "falling out" with Epstein long before the financier’s criminal charges became public.
The so-called "Epstein files" became a feature of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, with promises to release documents purportedly exposing Epstein’s connections to powerful figures. Yet, after returning to office, Trump dismissed the files’ existence as a "Democratic hoax," frustrating both critics and some supporters who had hoped for more transparency. The Trump administration also balked at releasing additional FBI files related to Epstein after his death, according to Axios.
For HarperCollins UK, the episode is a stark reminder of the legal and reputational risks inherent in publishing unverified claims about public figures—especially those already embroiled in controversy. Since Epstein’s death, a flurry of books, documentaries, and articles have sought to unravel the scope of his influence. But as this incident demonstrates, the eagerness to link high-profile individuals to Epstein can lead to factual errors, lawsuits, and costly retractions.
The publisher’s apology also underscores the growing assertiveness of Melania Trump and her legal team in defending her reputation. While public figures in the U.S. face a high bar to win defamation cases, the U.K.’s legal environment offers more robust protections against what are deemed "malicious, defamatory falsehoods." This likely explains why HarperCollins acted so swiftly to recall the book and issue a public apology.
Meanwhile, the controversy has not abated. According to Axios, Melania Trump’s team is still considering further legal action against other media figures, including author Michael Wolff, who advanced similar claims in a podcast. A source familiar with the matter told Axios, "Michael Wolff should be looking over his shoulder." When asked about the possibility of a lawsuit, Wolff responded, "Yeah, what else is new, the Trumps threaten to sue the media?"
The saga serves as a cautionary tale for journalists, publishers, and readers alike. In an era of digital speculation and viral rumors, the temptation to connect every major public figure to notorious scandals like Epstein’s is ever-present. But as Melania Trump’s legal victories demonstrate, facts still matter—and the costs of amplifying unsubstantiated claims can be steep.
For Melania Trump, the HarperCollins apology is another step in her ongoing campaign to protect her public image. For the publishing industry, it’s a sobering lesson in the importance of rigorous fact-checking and the perils of sensationalism. And for the broader public, it’s a reminder that even in the age of instant information, truth and accuracy remain the foundation of credible journalism.