Sunday, 15 December 2024

ABC News Settles Defamation Lawsuit with Donald Trump for $15 Million

In a significant turn of events, ABC News and its anchor, George Stephanopoulos, have reached a settlement with incoming US president, Donald Trump, in a high-profile defamation lawsuit. The settlement publicly filed on Saturday, December 15, included a hefty $15 million charitable contribution and an apology to Trump. The settlement details that the $15 million will be directed towards establishing a “presidential foundation and museum” for Trump.

Additionally, ABC News has agreed to cover $1 million in Trump's attorney fees.

The lawsuit stemmed from statements made by Stephanopoulos during a contentious on-air interview with South Carolina GOP Rep. Nancy Mace in March. Stephanopoulos repeatedly claimed that a jury found Trump liable for raping E. Jean Carroll, a statement that Trump argued was false and damaging. Carroll had alleged that Trump raped her in the mid-1990s. Still, the jury in 2023 found him liable for sexual abuse and battery, not rape, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages, with additional damages awarded later.

The judge in Trump's case against ABC News allowed the lawsuit to proceed in July, emphasizing the nuanced difference in the legal definitions and the potential harm caused by Stephanopoulos' statements.

As part of the settlement, ABC News and Stephanopoulos will issue a formal apology to Trump. This resolution highlights the ongoing complexities and sensitivities surrounding media coverage and legal interpretations in high-stakes public matters.

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