Maryland

New York Times Reprimands Reporter for Repeating ‘Unfounded' Melania Trump Rumor

The comment was revealed by model/actress Emily Ratajkowski

The New York Times reprimanded a reporter Monday following an allegation the reporter publicly referred to unfounded rumors about first lady Melania Trump. 

The allegations were made public by model/actress Emily Ratajkowski, who said the unnamed reporter repeated unsubstantiated claims about Trump's past in her vicinity at an event Sunday night.

Ratajkowski added the "gender specific attacks" were "disgusting" and "sexist."

In a statement released to NBC, a Times spokesperson did not identify the reporter, but confirmed an incident occurred.

"At a party last night, a Times reporter who does not cover Washington or politics, referred to an unfounded rumor regarding Melania Trump. The comment was not intended to be public, but it was nonetheless completely inappropriate and should not have occurred. Editors have talked to the reporter in question about the lapse."

Earlier this month a Maryland judge dismissed Trump's libel lawsuit against Britain's Daily Mail newspaper over an article that contained insinuations that she had worked as an escort.

Trump refiled the lawsuit last week.

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