ABC News and its prominent host, George Stephanopoulos, reached a settlement with the President-elect, Donald Trump, to sidestep a costly defamation trial. The legal dispute arose from comments made by Stephanopoulos that inaccurately described a court finding against Trump.
Fox News reported that in the latest episode of ABC's "This Week," Stephanopoulos made no mention of the settlement with Trump, and he had also quit X in shame after getting shredded by online commenters.
The legal challenge centered around a comment he made during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace, where he incorrectly claimed that Trump had been found liable for "rape." In actuality, a jury had determined Trump was liable for "sexual abuse" rather than the more severe charge of rape.
ABC News and Stephanopoulos opted to settle the lawsuit, agreeing to a significant financial arrangement as part of the resolution. The network agreed to contribute $15 million to a Presidential foundation as a charitable donation.
Additionally, they committed $1 million to cover Trump's attorney fees. This financial settlement underscores the seriousness with which ABC News approached resolving the matter without a protracted court battle.
In tandem with the financial settlement, ABC News and Stephanopoulos issued statements of "regret" regarding the erroneous comments made concerning Trump. This expression of remorse was published in an editor's note appended to a March 10, 2024, article on the ABC News website.
Stephanopoulos expressed his regret, acknowledging the error in his statements. ABC News similarly affirmed their stance by communicating their regret over the incident. This gesture aimed to address the inaccuracies publicly and provide a degree of accountability for the network.
The initial lawsuit emerged after Stephanopoulos, during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace, questioned her support for Trump. He stated, "You've endorsed Donald Trump for president. Judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape." This comment, now recognized as incorrect, was a focal point of the legal action pursued by Trump.
Following the settlement, Stephanopoulos took a notable step by deleting his social media account on X over the weekend. This action could be seen as part of the fallout from the settlement and an effort to perhaps shield himself from further scrutiny or criticism associated with the lawsuit's aftermath.
In a separate appearance on Stephen Colbert's show, Stephanopoulos conveyed his thoughts, indicating that Trump had initiated the legal proceedings because the word "rape" was used, despite the legal nuances.
He shared his perspective that "a judge said that’s in fact what did happen," yet this did not suffice to deter the lawsuit from moving forward. This statement reveals Stephanopoulos's belief in the factual basis of his original comments, though they were, indeed, legally contested.
As part of the amicable resolution, ABC News remains satisfied with the outcome of the settlement. A spokesperson for the network stated, "We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing."
The conclusion of this lawsuit carries significant implications for both media outlets and public figures. It underscores the delicate balance between exercising journalistic freedom and ensuring accuracy, especially when addressing legal matters involving high-profile individuals.
The resolution allows both ABC News and Stephanopoulos to move beyond this legal incident without the looming shadow of a public courtroom battle.
It reflects a broader trend where media organizations may choose to settle disputes to manage potential public relations fallout, even where journalistic intentions exist.
Stephanopoulos, a seasoned journalist with decades of experience, now faces the task of rehabilitating any reputational damage that might have arisen from this incident.
His decision to forgo social media suggests a desire to recalibrate his public presence and focus on his professional responsibilities without unnecessary distractions.
