
(LibertySociety.com) – ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos have settled a defamation lawsuit brought by President-elect Donald Trump, agreeing to pay $15 million to avoid a potentially costly trial. The settlement, made public on Saturday, includes a charitable donation to a planned presidential foundation and an additional $1 million to cover Trump’s attorney fees.
The defamation suit stemmed from statements Stephanopoulos made during a March 10, 2024, interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) on ABC’s This Week. In the interview, Stephanopoulos repeatedly claimed that Trump had been found “liable for rape” in a civil case involving E. Jean Carroll. In reality, a jury had determined Trump was liable for “sexual abuse,” a legal distinction under New York law.
As part of the settlement, ABC News and Stephanopoulos issued a formal statement of regret, now appearing as an editor’s note on the original article:
“ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABC’s This Week on March 10, 2024.”
Trump’s legal team highlighted that Stephanopoulos repeated the inaccurate claim ten times during the interview. While Stephanopoulos initially dismissed the lawsuit as an intimidation tactic, saying he wouldn’t be “cowed out of doing my job,” the pressure mounted after U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisette M. Reid ordered both parties to sit for depositions ahead of a Dec. 24 deadline for filing motions for summary judgment.
The settlement spares both sides the uncertainty and expense of a full trial while marking another legal victory for Trump. His attorneys, led by Florida lawyers Alejandro Brito and Richard Klugh, secured terms that included the $15 million contribution to a presidential foundation and a public acknowledgment of error by Stephanopoulos and ABC News.
Trump’s legal efforts are not limited to this case. The president-elect is also pursuing a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS News for “deceptive conduct” during an October interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.
The settlement underscores the high stakes of political commentary in the media, especially when inaccuracies fuel legal disputes. Trump, who has long accused mainstream media outlets of bias and defamation, framed the resolution as vindication of his claims against media misconduct.
ABC News expressed relief at the resolution, stating, “We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing.” Whether this settlement will temper future disputes between Trump and the media remains to be seen, but it highlights the enduring tension between the press and public figures in today’s polarized climate.
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