ABC News and Journalist to Pay Trump $15 Million in Defamation Lawsuit
ABC News, Stephanopoulos to Pay Trump $16 Million to Settle Defamation Lawsuit
Former president Donald trump will receive $16 million from ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos to settle a defamation lawsuit, avoiding a high-profile trial.
The agreement, announced Saturday, stems from a lawsuit filed by Trump in July alleging Stephanopoulos made false and malicious statements about the case involving writer E. Jean Carroll.Trump accused Stephanopoulos,host of the popular Sunday morning program “This Week With George Stephanopoulos,” of repeatedly claiming that Trump had been found guilty of raping Carroll.
Under the terms of the settlement, ABC News will pay $15 million to a “presidential foundation and museum” to be established by or for Trump. The network will also cover $1 million in legal fees for Trump.Both stephanopoulos and ABC News will issue statements of “regret.”
The settlement comes after a New York jury in May found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation against Carroll. The jury determined that Trump inserted his fingers into Carroll’s vagina without her consent in a department store dressing room in the 1990s.While the jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse, it did not find him liable for rape. trump was ordered to pay Carroll $5 million in damages.This latest settlement allows Trump, stephanopoulos, and ABC News to avoid a potentially damaging public trial.
Trump to Receive $16 Million From ABC News in Defamation Settlement
New York, NY – Former President Donald Trump will be paid $16 million by ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos to settle a defamation lawsuit. The agreement, reached on Saturday, aims to preclude a high-profile trial.
The lawsuit, filed by Trump in July, alleged that Stephanopoulos made false and malicious statements regarding the case involving writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump claimed Stephanopoulos repeatedly stated that Trump had been found guilty of raping Carroll.
Under the settlement terms, ABC news will contribute $15 million to a “presidential foundation and museum” established by or for Trump. Additionally, the network will cover $1 million in legal fees for the former President. Both Stephanopoulos and ABC News will issue statements expressing “regret.”
This settlement follows a May verdict by a New York jury,wich found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation against carroll. While the jury determined that Trump inserted his fingers into Carroll’s vagina without her consent in a department store dressing room in the 1990s, it did not find him liable for rape. Trump was ordered to pay Carroll $5 million in damages.
This latest settlement averts a possibly damaging public trial for Trump, Stephanopoulos, and ABC News.