After years of attacking journalists and threatening the media, President Donald Trump may now face a major legal problem of his own making.
A lawsuit he filed against the Pulitzer Prize Board could force him to release records he has spent decades trying to keep private. These include tax returns, financial documents, and possibly even medical and prescription records.
How This Started
Trump sued the Pulitzer Prize Board in 2022 after it refused to revoke Pulitzer Prizes awarded to The New York Times and The Washington Post. The prizes were given for reporting on Russian interference in the 2016 election and the Trump campaign’s ties examined during Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.
Trump has repeatedly called that reporting the “Russia hoax.” He claimed the board’s decision damaged his reputation and caused him personal and financial harm.
The Board Strikes Back
Last week, the Pulitzer Prize Board escalated the case. It filed broad discovery requests that turn Trump’s own claims against him.
Because Trump says he was harmed, the board argues he must prove it. That means opening his finances, health records, and legal history to scrutiny.
The filings were submitted on December 11 in Okeechobee County, Florida. Trump has 30 days to comply or formally claim legal privileges for any records he refuses to hand over.
What the Board Is Demanding
The requests are sweeping.
The board is asking for all of Trump’s tax returns from 2015 to the present, from every jurisdiction. This includes attachments, schedules, and worksheets.
They also want documents showing all sources of income, assets, debts, and financial holdings over the same period.
If Trump is claiming physical, mental, or emotional harm, the board is also demanding medical and psychological records going back to 2015. That includes prescription drug histories and records from his annual physicals. If he is not claiming such harm, he must say so clearly in writing.
Other Lawsuits Under Review
The board is also asking for records tied to Trump’s other defamation cases. These include the E. Jean Carroll lawsuits, his failed lawsuit against CNN, settlements involving ABC and CBS, and an ongoing case against The Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch related to reporting on Jeffrey Epstein.
The goal is to see whether Trump has made similar claims of harm elsewhere and whether the evidence supports them.
Why the Case Is Moving Forward
The lawsuit has survived several attempts to shut it down.
In July 2024, Judge Robert Pegg ruled that the Pulitzer Board’s statement defending its awards could be legally challenged. He also refused to block access to internal board discussions during discovery.
The Pulitzer Board has said it followed its standard review process and that two independent reviews found no reporting errors that would justify revoking the prizes.
Public Reaction Turns Mocking
Online reaction has largely favored the Pulitzer Board.
Many critics say Trump is facing the same legal standards anyone else would face. Others predict he will quietly drop the lawsuit now that the pressure is on.
Some commenters mocked Trump for trying to bully the board and getting pushback instead.
Trump’s Past Records Already Exposed
Trump’s finances have already been partially revealed before.
In December 2022, a House committee released six years of his tax returns after a long legal fight. The records showed he paid little federal income tax in several years before and during his presidency.
His health has also drawn attention recently. The White House confirmed he was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency and explained visible bruising on his right hand as the result of frequent handshaking.
Legal Experts See a Familiar Pattern
Legal analysts say this case highlights a basic rule of defamation law. You cannot claim serious harm while refusing to show evidence of that harm.
It is unclear how Trump will respond to the discovery demands. A spokesperson previously told Fox News the lawsuit would end in a “winning conclusion.”
For now, the Pulitzer Prize Board has made one thing clear. It does not plan to retract awards or rewrite history just because Trump demands it.
