On Wednesday, a Florida state appellate court denied the Pulitzer Prize Board's request to delay a defamation lawsuit filed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The lawsuit challenges Pulitzers awarded to The New York Times and The Washington Post for their coverage of the 2016 election interference by Russia.
The court's decision rejects the Board’s argument to pause the lawsuit until the conclusion of Trump's current term. According to reports, the court found no constitutional grounds to warrant a postponement.
Trump's Response
He claimed that The New York Times and The Washington Post received the prestigious awards for "totally incorrect reporting" about alleged collusion between his campaign associates and Russian operatives. Trump demanded that these publications return their Pulitzers, stating, "We are holding the Fake News Media responsible for their LIES to the American People, so we can, together, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit, initiated in December 2022 in Okeechobee County, Florida, targets members and administrative staff of the Pulitzer Prize Board responsible for awarding the prizes in 2018. Trump seeks to revoke the prizes given to The New York Times and The Washington Post for their investigative reporting on Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election and purported connections with Trump's circle.
This reporting, published primarily in 2017, addressed alleged Russian ties to individuals such as former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and Donald Trump Jr. The case challenges the legitimacy of the Pulitzer Prizes tied to these stories, claiming the reports were false and defamatory.
The Florida appellate court’s ruling marks a notable development in the defamation suit, allowing it to proceed without interruption from the Pulitzer Board’s efforts to delay consideration.
