ABC News and its anchor, George Stephanopoulos, have reached a $15 million settlement with President-elect Donald Trump, resolving a defamation lawsuit tied to claims made about a civil case involving Trump.
The agreement, filed in federal court on Saturday, averts a potentially costly trial and includes a formal statement of regret from the network.
Settlement Details
As part of the settlement, ABC News will pay $15 million as a charitable donation to a presidential foundation and museum to be established by Trump.
The network will also cover $1 million in Trump’s legal fees. Additionally, ABC News issued a formal correction and statement of regret, which has been added as an editor’s note to the March 10, 2024, article that triggered the lawsuit.
The note reads:
“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.”
An ABC News spokesperson confirmed the resolution, stating, “We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing.”
Origin of the Defamation Claim
The lawsuit stemmed from comments made by Stephanopoulos during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) on This Week. During the segment, Stephanopoulos claimed multiple times that Trump had been found “liable for rape” in a civil case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll.
However, the jury in the case determined that Trump was liable for “sexual abuse,” not rape, under New York law—a significant distinction.
Trump’s legal team argued that Stephanopoulos’ repeated statements misrepresented the jury’s findings, damaging the president-elect’s reputation. The Southern District of Florida lawsuit sought to hold the network and Stephanopoulos accountable for the alleged mischaracterisation.
Escalation and Resolution
The legal battle escalated recently, with U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisette M. Reid ordering depositions for Trump and Stephanopoulos. With a Dec. 24 deadline for summary judgment motions looming, the settlement allowed both parties to avoid a trial.
Initially, Stephanopoulos defended his comments, citing a later ruling by Judge Lewis Kaplan, who suggested that Carroll’s allegations could align with a broader, non-legal definition of “rape.” Despite this defence, the legal risks and mounting pressure led to the resolution.
Broader Context: Trump’s Legal Momentum
The settlement is the latest in a series of legal victories for Trump, who has been building momentum in high-profile cases.
- Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan recently granted Special Counsel Jack Smith’s request to dismiss charges related to the 2020 election.
- In a separate case, a federal judge ruled Smith’s appointment as special counsel unlawful, leading to the dismissal of classified records charges in July.
- In New York, Judge Juan Merchan granted Trump’s motion to file for dismissal in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case and removed the sentencing date from the schedule.
Trump is also pursuing a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS News, accusing the network of “deceptive conduct” designed to influence the 2024 presidential election.
Implications
The settlement underscores the heightened scrutiny and accountability media organisations face when reporting on high-profile figures. It also highlights the evolving role of defamation lawsuits as a tool for addressing disputes over public narratives.
The agreement reinforces his claims of media bias for Trump and contributes to his efforts to shape his presidential legacy.
For ABC News, the resolution avoids a prolonged courtroom battle but signals the risks of navigating sensitive legal topics in an era of intense public and political scrutiny.
As the case concludes, its broader implications may influence future interactions between the press and public figures, particularly in the politically charged environment leading up to the 2024 presidential inauguration.
