NEW: Melania Forces Liberal Outlet To Retract Fake News Story

Renewed focus on the government’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation has generated a wave of rumors about whether he introduced Melania Trump to her future husband, and those whispers materialized in the form of a Daily Beast story claiming she and President Donald Trump would not be married today without their friendship with the late, disgraced pedophile financier.

Upon “reflection” — and a letter from Melania’s legal team — the liberal outlet announced on Monday that it has totally retracted a report by Michael Wolff claiming that Epstein introduced the future first lady to Donald Trump during a glitterati gathering in the 1990s.

The article expounded on claims made by Wolff in a podcast episode where he stated Epstein had been “very involved” in introducing the couple.

“She’s introduced by a model agent, both of whom Trump and Epstein are involved with. She’s introduced to Trump that way,” Wolff alleged. “Epstein knows her well.”

Wolff, who has been publicly condemned by other far-left media figures for playing fast and loose with the truth, no longer has the faith of his editors, the outlet’s note suggested.

“Upon reflection, we have determined that the article did not meet our standards and has therefore been removed from our platforms,” it reads.

“In response to a letter from the First Lady’s attorneys, The Daily Beast has also removed a portion of an episode of The Daily Beast Podcast titled ‘Trump’s Epstein Scandal Can’t Stop Won’t Stop’ referencing the First Lady. The First Lady points to her bestselling book Melania as the definitive account of her life story.

“We apologize to the First Lady and our readers.”

Melania has written in her memoir about her first meeting with Trump, which took place during the 1998 Fashion Week party at the Kit Kat Klub in New York City.

“I saw my friend wave at someone behind me. When I turned around, I noticed a man and an attractive blonde woman approaching us,” Melania wrote. “‘Hi. I’m Donald Trump,’ the man said when he reached my table.”

Trump sat down at the table of his future wife and struck up a conversation, drawing her charm and attention.

Simmering attention on Epstein has left President Trump and administration officials scrambling to release more information at the behest of his MAGA base.

Earlier this month, U.S. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) published letters from a “birthday book” presented to Epstein, which contained an alleged letter from Trump. Trump has forcefully denied writing the letter or drawing its accompanying crude picture.