ABC News to Pay Trump $15 Million in Defamation Settlement
ABC News to Pay $15 Million to Trump in Defamation Settlement
Former President donald Trump will receive a $15 million settlement from ABC News after the network’s star anchor, George Stephanopoulos, falsely claimed Trump had been found “liable for rape.”
The settlement, first reported by Fox News Digital, comes after Trump filed a defamation lawsuit against ABC News and Stephanopoulos. The lawsuit stemmed from statements made by Stephanopoulos during a March 10 interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC).
During the interview, Stephanopoulos repeatedly asserted that “judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape,” a claim that is factually inaccurate.While a New York civil court did find Trump liable for sexual abuse against writer E.Jean Carroll in 2023, the jury did not find him liable for rape under the specific legal definition used in that case.
ABC News Issues Regret
As part of the settlement, ABC News will issue a public statement expressing regret for Stephanopoulos’s statements. The statement will read: “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.”
In addition to the $15 million charitable contribution to a foundation established by Trump,ABC News will also pay $1 million towards Trump’s legal fees.
An ABC News spokesperson said the company was “pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing.”
Legal Battles and Defamation Claims
This settlement is the latest in a series of legal battles involving Trump and media outlets.Trump has also sued CBS and the BBC’s US broadcast partner for “deceptive conduct” over an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. He has also filed lawsuits against the New York Times and the Washington Post, though those cases have been dismissed.
The case highlights the sensitive nature of reporting on high-profile figures and the importance of accuracy in journalistic reporting.
ABC News Settles Defamation Suit With Trump for $15 Million
New York, NY – Former President Donald Trump has reached a $15 million defamation settlement with ABC News following a lawsuit stemming from inaccurate statements made by network anchor George Stephanopoulos. The settlement was first reported by Fox News Digital.
The lawsuit centered around comments made by Stephanopoulos during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) on March 10, 2024. Stephanopoulos repeatedly claimed that “judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape,” a statement later proven factually incorrect. while a New York civil court did find Trump liable for sexual abuse against writer E. Jean Carroll in 2023, the jury did not find him liable for rape under the specific legal definition used in that case.
As part of the settlement,ABC News will issue a public statement expressing regret for Stephanopoulos’s statements. The statement will acknowledge: “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.”
In addition to the $15 million charitable contribution to a foundation established by Trump, ABC News will also contribute $1 million towards Trump’s legal fees.
An ABC News spokesperson commented, “We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing.”
This settlement marks the latest chapter in a series of legal battles involving Trump and various media outlets. he has also filed lawsuits against CBS and the BBC’s US broadcast partner for “deceptive conduct” over an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. Lawsuits filed against the New York Times and the Washington Post have been dismissed.
The case underscores the complexities and potential consequences surrounding reporting on prominent figures, emphasizing the critical need for accuracy and responsible journalistic practices.