In response, ABC News has consistently stood by its editorial integrity, defending both its anchors and its reporting practices. Although the network has faced numerous threats of legal action in the past, none have ever escalated—until now.
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Background of the Lawsuit
The defamation lawsuit against ABC News by Donald Trump stemmed from an interview conducted by George Stephanopoulos that aired on March 10, 2024. During this segment, which featured Representative Nancy Mace, Stephanopoulos inaccurately asserted that Trump had been found “liable for rape” regarding claims made by writer E. Jean Carroll.
The remarks misrepresented the conclusions of the jury, which did not classify Trump’s behavior as rape by strict legal standards. This misrepresentation formed the basis of Trump’s allegations against ABC News and emerged amid a backdrop of Trump’s ongoing legal challenges related to multiple litigations, including those connected to allegations of sexual misconduct.
Settlement Details
In a significant development, ABC News announced a settlement of $15 million intended for Trump’s presidential library foundation. This agreement represents a notable financial commitment from a major media outlet and includes an additional payment of $1 million to cover Trump’s legal fees.
As part of the settlement, ABC and Stephanopoulos have issued a public apology, expressing their regret over the statements made during the contentious interview with Nancy Mace.
“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,” Stephanopoulos and ABC News said in a statement.
Stephanopoulos initially appeared unthreatened by Trump’s lawsuit. He told Stephen Colbert in May, “[Mace] famously started her political career… when she was in the statehouse, talking about being a victim of rape. And so, I asked her, as a victim of rape, how she could support someone who a jury has found liable for rape.”
“Trump sued me because I used the word ‘rape,’ even though a judge said that’s in fact what did happen,” he also said.”
This isn’t the first time George Stephanopoulos has found himself at the center of controversy due to his remarks. Back in early July, while out for a run, he was approached by a passerby who asked whether President Biden should step down following a rough debate performance against Donald Trump. Stephanopoulos responded by expressing doubt that Biden could serve another full term.
The clip quickly went viral, prompting Stephanopoulos to issue a statement acknowledging that he should not have commented on the matter in the first place.
Do you believe ABC should have agreed to pay $15 million toward Donald Trump’s presidential campaign fund? Should they have settled the lawsuit or fought it out in court? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
