ABC News has agreed to a significant settlement of $15 million to resolve a defamation lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump. The case stems from false statements made by the network’s anchor, George Stephanopoulos, who repeatedly claimed during a broadcast in March 2024 that Trump had been found “liable for rape.”
The statements were made during an interview with South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace, where Stephanopoulos challenged her support for Trump. Despite the fact that a New York civil jury had found Trump liable for “sexual abuse” in a 2023 case involving writer E. Jean Carroll, the anchor’s repeated claims that Trump had been found liable for rape were inaccurate and misleading.
As part of the settlement, which was first reported by Fox News Digital, ABC News has agreed to make a $15 million charitable contribution to a future Presidential foundation and museum. This contribution is intended to fund the establishment of a presidential library for Trump, in keeping with the tradition of U.S. Presidents.
In addition to the charitable donation, ABC News will pay $1 million to cover Trump’s legal fees. The network will also post a public editor’s note on its website, correcting the false statements made by Stephanopoulos. The note will express regret for the inaccuracies in the March 10, 2024, interview, in which Stephanopoulos falsely stated that “judges and two separate juries have found [Trump] liable for rape.”
The defamation lawsuit stems from a 2023 civil court ruling in New York, where a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll in a department store dressing room in 1996. However, the court clarified that Carroll had not proven the legal definition of “rape” under New York law. This distinction is significant because the definition of rape in the state’s penal code is narrower than its common, everyday understanding.
In a separate case, Trump was ordered to pay $83.3 million in damages to Carroll for defamatory statements he made about her. He has appealed both verdicts.
This case is part of a broader pattern of legal battles that Trump has engaged in with media outlets. In addition to suing ABC News, he has also filed lawsuits against CBS, the BBC’s U.S. broadcast partner, and has had lawsuits against CNN, the New York Times, and the Washington Post dismissed. Trump has accused several media organizations of “deceptive conduct” and defamation in relation to various statements made about him.
Trump’s legal team had been preparing to present sworn testimony in the defamation case against ABC News, with depositions scheduled for the coming week. However, the settlement agreement has put an end to this litigation.
In a statement, an ABC News spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the case, saying the company was “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 the ongoing legal disputes surrounding Donald Trump and the media. As the former President continues to navigate multiple lawsuits, this case underscores the complex intersection of defamation, public figures, and the media.
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