ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million in a settlement with President-elect Donald Trump, following a defamation lawsuit in which Trump Wins $15M Settlement over false statements made during a broadcast earlier this year. The settlement, which includes a charitable contribution to Trump’s future presidential library, concludes a high-profile legal battle over remarks made by star anchor George Stephanopoulos.
The controversy began on March 10, 2024, during an interview on This Week with George Stephanopoulos. The anchor claimed Trump had been found “liable for rape” in a civil case, a statement that was inaccurate.
In reality, a New York jury had determined in 2023 that Trump was liable for “sexual abuse” in a case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. However, the jury explicitly did not find Trump liable for rape under New York’s narrow legal definition of the term.
Stephanopoulos repeated the incorrect claim 10 times during the broadcast while questioning South Carolina Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace about her endorsement of Trump.
The settlement, reported first by Fox News Digital, requires ABC News to:
- Pay $15 million as a charitable contribution to fund Trump’s future presidential library.
- Cover $1 million of Trump’s legal fees.
- Publish an editor’s note on its March 10, 2024, article acknowledging the error and expressing regret for the statements.
The editor’s note reads:
“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.”
An ABC News spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the resolution, stating, “We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit.”
According to reports, the $15 million settlement will go toward establishing a presidential library and museum for Trump, as other former U.S. presidents have done. The library is expected to highlight Trump’s policies, achievements, and tenure in office.
This case is the latest in a series of legal battles involving Trump and defamation claims:
- E. Jean Carroll Case: In 2023, Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation against Carroll, resulting in an $83.3 million judgment. Trump is appealing this decision.
- CNN Lawsuit Dismissed: Trump’s 2023 defamation lawsuit against CNN, which alleged the network compared him to Adolf Hitler, was thrown out.
- Lawsuits Against Media Outlets: Trump has ongoing legal battles against CBS, the New York Times, and the Washington Post.
The settlement avoids a lengthy court battle, which would have required sworn depositions from both Trump and Stephanopoulos. For Trump, the outcome marks a significant legal win as he continues to target media outlets he believes have misrepresented him.
The $15 million settlement in Trump’s defamation lawsuit against ABC News highlights the consequences of inaccurate reporting in high-stakes political cases. While Trump celebrates this victory, the ongoing legal battles with other media outlets suggest the fight over media accountability is far from over.
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