Judge Allows Trump’s Defamation Lawsuit Against Pulitzer Board to Proceed

A Florida judge denied the Pulitzer Board’s request to pause Trump’s lawsuit, which challenges the 2018 awards for coverage of alleged Russia-Trump campaign ties.

Florida Circuit Judge Robert Pegg ruled against the Pulitzer Board's request to temporarily stay the lawsuit while Trump is in office.
The lawsuit, filed by Trump in 2022, alleges defamation over the Pulitzer Board's defense of awards given to The New York Times The Washington Post for reporting on Russian election interference and Trump campaign connections.
The Pulitzer Board argued that pausing the case was necessary to avoid interfering with Trump's presidential duties, but the judge stated Trump could request relief if his duties are impacted.
The Pulitzer Board criticized the decision, highlighting concerns about allowing a president to pursue lawsuits while claiming immunity from similar cases as a defendant.
This case is one of several defamation lawsuits Trump has filed against media organizations, including a $15 million settlement with ABC News in December 2024.

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