A Florida appellate court on Wednesday rejected the Pulitzer Prize Board's attempt to pause the defamation lawsuit, clearing the way for the case to proceed.

The board had argued that allowing the litigation to move forward while Trump is serving in office would raise constitutional concerns, but the court dismissed that claim, saying only the president himself could assert such privileges.

Trump on Thursday hailed the development as a turning point in his fight against what he called "fake, malicious stories" about alleged ties between his 2016 campaign and Russia.

"BREAKING! In a major WIN in our powerful lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize Board regarding the illegal and defamatory 'Award' of their once highly respected 'Prize,' to fake, malicious stories on the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, by the Failing New York Times and the Washington Compost, the Florida Appellate Court viciously rejected the Defendants' corrupt attempt to halt the case," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"They'll have to give back their 'Award.' They were awarded for false reporting, and we can't let that happen in the United States of America."

The Fourth District Court of Appeal in Florida issued a seven-page ruling Wednesday that denied the board's motion to stay proceedings.

The board had argued that allowing the case to proceed while Trump serves in office could raise constitutional issues, including concerns under the Supremacy Clause and the Take Care Clause of the Constitution.

The court flatly rejected that rationale, ruling that such privileges are not transferable to Trump's legal opponents.

"Such privileges are afforded to the President alone, not to his litigation adversaries," the court wrote. "Immunities and privileges, by their very nature, inure solely to the benefit of the individual for whom they are intended."

"Allowing this case to proceed facilitates President Trump's use of state courts as both a sword and a shield — allowing him to seek retribution against anyone he chooses in state court while simultaneously claiming immunity for himself whenever convenient," the board told The Post in a statement.

"The Pulitzer Board is evaluating next steps and will continue our defense of journalism and First Amendment rights."