ABC News and its anchor, George Stephanopoulos, have agreed to pay President-elect Donald Trump $15 million to resolve a defamation lawsuit. The settlement funds will go toward a foundation and museum Trump plans to establish. Moreover, both the network and Stephanopoulos will issue statements expressing regret regarding the matter.
How the Lawsuit Began
The lawsuit stemmed from a March 2024 interview Stephanopoulos conducted with Republican Representative Nancy Mace. During the interview, he repeatedly claimed that Trump was found “liable for rape” in the legal case brought by columnist E. Jean Carroll. Carroll had accused Trump of sexually assaulting her at a New York department store in the 1990s.
However, a New York jury in 2023 determined that Trump had “sexually abused” Carroll but did not commit rape. Consequently, Trump was ordered to pay $83.3 million for defamation. Following Stephanopoulos’s interview, Trump filed a defamation lawsuit against both the journalist and ABC News for allegedly misrepresenting the jury’s findings.
Key Terms of the Settlement
Under the settlement, ABC News must pay $15 million to Trump’s foundation and an additional $1 million to cover his attorney fees. Furthermore, the network will add an editor’s note to a March 10, 2024, article related to the interview. The note will state:
“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.”
Additionally, Trump will formally dismiss the lawsuit in its entirety and cannot reopen the case in the future.
Stephanopoulos’s Initial Reaction
Initially, Stephanopoulos took a firm stance. In May, he told talk show host Stephen Colbert, “I will not be cowed out of doing my job because of a threat.” Despite this, the settlement has now brought the legal battle to a close.
Statements After the Settlement
In response to the settlement, ABC News released a statement:
“We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing.”
Meanwhile, Trump has yet to comment publicly on the resolution. This settlement marks a significant legal win for the president-elect.