Donald Trump and ABC News, along with anchor George Stephanopoulos, have settled a defamation lawsuit for $15 million, avoiding a lengthy trial. The settlement includes a charitable donation, attorney fees, and public apologies from both ABC and Stephanopoulos.
Fox News reported that the lawsuit was based on Stephanopoulos's claims that Trump was found "liable for rape" in a legal case involving E. Jean Carroll, when in fact, Trump was only found liable for "sexual abuse" under New York law.
The defamation lawsuit was settled before a trial could take place, with ABC agreeing to several terms. As part of the settlement, ABC News will make a $15 million charitable contribution to a presidential foundation and museum associated with Trump. In addition, the network will pay $1 million to cover Trump’s legal fees.
Both ABC and Stephanopoulos issued statements of regret. The statement, which will be added as an editor’s note to the online version of the March 10 interview article, says, “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.”
The settlement was publicly filed on Saturday, with ABC News expressing their satisfaction in resolving the case. "We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing," an ABC spokesperson said.
The defamation suit stemmed from Stephanopoulos's remarks during an interview with Rep. Mace, in which he referenced Trump's legal liability in the E. Jean Carroll case.
The interview, which aired on ABC's "This Week," included the repeated statement that Trump was found "liable for rape." Trump’s legal team contested this characterization, noting that the jury had only found him liable for "sexual abuse," which is a different legal designation in New York.
Trump's lawyers, led by Florida attorneys Alejandro Brito and Richard Klugh, filed the lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida Federal Court. The case drew attention due to the public figures involved, as well as the high-profile nature of Trump’s ongoing legal battles.
Despite the defamation suit, Trump and his team managed to secure legal victories recently, including dismissals in other cases, such as the Special Counsel’s investigation into the 2020 election.
Following the lawsuit's filing, Stephanopoulos defended his comments in an appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." He expressed that Trump had sued him because of the use of the word "rape," despite the judge’s ruling on the case.
"Trump sued me because I used the word ‘rape,’ even though a judge said that’s in fact what did happen," Stephanopoulos told Colbert.
The anchor’s remarks sparked public debates over the legal distinctions between "rape" and "sexual abuse," leading to the eventual settlement. While Stephanopoulos stood by the accuracy of his statement, the settlement suggests that both parties were eager to avoid a trial.
Trump's legal team, which also includes senior adviser Boris Epshteyn, has enjoyed several legal wins recently. A federal judge dismissed Special Counsel Jack Smith's case related to the 2020 election, as well as charges in a classified records case. Trump is also involved in a separate legal battle with CBS News, suing the network for $10 billion in damages over allegedly "deceptive conduct" during an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.
This defamation case with ABC News highlights the increasing frequency of legal challenges faced by Trump and his associates. However, with the settlement, Trump has avoided further litigation with the network.
Trump’s decision to settle the lawsuit prevents a drawn-out legal battle, which could have further fueled public scrutiny. The case had drawn attention due to the nature of the claims, as well as the reputations of the individuals involved. ABC’s willingness to settle likely stems from their desire to avoid the reputational damage that could have resulted from a trial.
For Trump, the $15 million charitable donation is a significant sum, which will benefit his foundation and museum.
The settlement has been framed as a win for Trump’s legal strategy, though it is still unclear whether the public statements of regret from ABC and Stephanopoulos will fully resolve the issue.
The defamation lawsuit, which began with Stephanopoulos’s controversial comments in March, has now reached a close. With a substantial financial settlement, public regret, and a charitable donation, both ABC and Trump appear to have put the issue to rest.
As Trump continues his legal battles, this settlement may mark another chapter in the ongoing series of legal challenges that he faces.
As for ABC News, they can now move forward after the conclusion of the lawsuit, leaving behind a public apology and a sizable charitable contribution. Whether this case will influence future media coverage of Trump remains to be seen.
