Trump’s Defamation Lawsuit Against Pulitzer Prize Board Affirmed by Florida Appellate Court
Background
In 2022, former President Donald Trump filed a defamation lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize Board, challenging the board’s decision to award the 2018 National Reporting Prizes to the New York Times and Washington Post for their coverage of alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential election. Trump argued that the coverage was defamatory because it relied on the "now-debunked theory" of Russian collusion.
Appellate Court Ruling
On Wednesday, a Florida appellate court unanimously affirmed the trial court’s order denying the Pulitzer Prize Board’s motion to dismiss Trump’s lawsuit. The court found that:
- The trial court has jurisdiction over the out-of-state defendants (Pulitzer Prize Board members).
- The statement at the heart of Trump’s lawsuit (the Pulitzer Board’s defense of the 2018 awards) is actionable under Florida law.
Concurring Opinion
Judge Ed Artau wrote a lengthy concurring opinion in which he agreed with the court’s unanimous opinion and provided additional analysis. Judge Artau highlighted that multiple credible investigations, including the Mueller Report, found no evidence of collusion between Trump and Russia. He argued that the Pulitzer Prize Board’s defense of the 2018 awards, which implied that Trump had colluded with Russia, was a false and defamatory statement.
Judge Artau also addressed the issue of jurisdiction, stating that Trump had met his burden of proving that the non-resident defendants had sufficient minimum contacts with Florida to justify the exercise of personal jurisdiction. He noted that the defendants had conspired to issue the defamatory statement, which was aimed at Florida residents and published in Florida newspapers.
Trump’s Legal Victories
Trump’s victory in the Pulitzer Prize lawsuit is part of a string of recent legal victories for the former president. In recent weeks, Trump has settled defamation lawsuits with ABC News for $15 million and Meta (formerly Facebook) for $25 million. Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS News, is reportedly considering a settlement in a similar lawsuit filed by Trump.
Pulitzer Prize Board’s Response
The Pulitzer Prize Board has defended its decision to stand by the 2018 awards, stating that the lawsuit is an attempt to intimidate the press. The board has established a formal process to review complaints against winning entries, and it has concluded that the coverage by the New York Times and Washington Post was accurate and deserving of the award.
Conclusion
The Florida appellate court’s ruling is a significant victory for Trump in his defamation lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize Board. The court’s affirmation of the trial court’s decision means that the case will now proceed to discovery, where the parties will exchange evidence and prepare for trial. The outcome of this case will be closely watched as it has implications for the ability of public figures to sue for defamation and for the freedom of the press.
