ABC Pays $15 Million to Settle Trump Defamation Lawsuit
ABC News Settles Defamation Lawsuit with Trump, Agrees to $16 Million Payment
Network to Issue Public Apology, Fund Trump Foundation
In a stunning legal victory for Donald Trump, ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos have agreed to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by the former president earlier this year. The settlement, announced today, will see ABC News pay $15 million to a foundation established by Trump, cover $1 million in legal fees, and issue a public apology.
The lawsuit stemmed from comments Stephanopoulos made on air regarding the sexual abuse and defamation case brought against Trump by writer E. Jean Carroll. A jury found trump liable for sexual abuse but not rape, a distinction that Trump’s legal team argued Stephanopoulos misrepresented.
While the jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse, thay did not find him liable for rape. The judge presiding over the case later clarified that the jury’s decision was based on the legal definition of rape in New York state, wich requires penetration of the vagina. The judge emphasized that the verdict did not preclude the possibility that Carroll had proven Trump “violated” her in the common understanding of the term.
Trump alleged that Stephanopoulos’ repeated statements during a March interview falsely claimed he had been convicted of rape, damaging his reputation.
As part of the settlement, ABC News and Stephanopoulos will issue a statement expressing regret for the comments made in march. The network will also contribute $15 million to a foundation established by Trump, which is expected to house his future presidential library and museum.
“We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to resolve the lawsuit,” an ABC News spokesperson said.
The settlement comes just one day after a judge ordered both Trump and Stephanopoulos to appear for depositions in Florida next week.
Trump Claims Victory as ABC News Settles Defamation Suit
(NewsDirectory3.com) - former President Donald Trump has secured a significant legal victory against ABC News, with the network agreeing to settle a defamation lawsuit for $15 million. The settlement also includes a public apology from ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos, and coverage of Trump’s legal fees, amounting to an additional $1 million.
The lawsuit stemmed from comments Stephanopoulos made on air regarding writer E. Jean Carroll’s sexual abuse and defamation case against Trump. A jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse, but not for rape, a distinction Trump’s legal team argued Stephanopoulos misrepresented.while the jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse they did not find him liable for rape.
The judge presiding over the case later clarified that the jury’s decision was based on the legal definition of rape in New York state, which requires penetration of the vagina. The judge emphasized that the verdict did not preclude the possibility that Carroll had proven Trump ”violated” her in the common understanding of the term.
Trump alleged that stephanopoulos’ repeated statements during a March interview falsely claimed he had been convicted of rape, inflicting damage on his reputation.
As part of the settlement, ABC News and Stephanopoulos will issue a statement expressing regret for the comments made in March. The network will also contribute $15 million to a foundation established by Trump, intended to house his future presidential library and museum.
“We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to resolve the lawsuit,” an ABC News spokesperson stated.
This settlement comes just a day after a judge ordered both Trump and Stephanopoulos to appear for depositions in Florida next week.