A contentious legal dispute between President-elect Donald Trump and ABC News has reached its conclusion in a Florida federal court.
According to Fox News, the defamation lawsuit against ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos was officially dismissed after reaching a settlement worth $15 million, with the agreement finalized through a stipulation signed by Chief U.S. District Judge Cecelia Altonaga.
The settlement includes ABC News' commitment to contribute $15 million toward a presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Trump, following the tradition of past U.S. presidents.
The network has also agreed to cover Trump's attorney fees, amounting to an additional $1 million. Both parties reached this agreement to avoid proceeding with what could have become a costly trial.
The lawsuit originated from a March 2024 interview on ABC's "This Week," where Stephanopoulos engaged in a heated exchange with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. During this conversation, the ABC News anchor repeatedly claimed that Trump had been found "liable for rape," making this assertion ten times throughout the interview.
These statements by Stephanopoulos were legally incorrect, as the jury in the E. Jean Carroll case had actually found Trump liable for sexual abuse, not rape, under New York law. This distinction became a crucial point in the defamation suit, highlighting the importance of precise legal terminology in media coverage.
The settlement required ABC News and Stephanopoulos to issue statements of "regret" as an editor's note, which was added to the bottom of the March 10, 2024, online article containing the disputed comments.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisette M. Reid had ordered both Trump and Stephanopoulos to participate in depositions before December 24, the deadline for defendants to file a motion for summary judgment. This order was issued as part of the proceedings to determine whether the case would proceed to trial.
The formal dismissal document, as quoted by Chief U.S. District Judge Cecelia Altonaga, states:
Having been advised of the settlement of the parties and otherwise being fully advised on the premises, it is hereby ordered and adjudged that the stipulation is approved.
The legal representation for Trump included Florida attorneys Alejandro Brito and Richard Klugh, who successfully negotiated the settlement terms in the Southern District of Florida Federal Court. ABC News expressed satisfaction with the resolution, with a spokesperson confirming the network was "pleased" to have settled the case.
The settlement demonstrates the significant consequences media organizations may face when making potentially defamatory statements about public figures. While Judge Lewis Kaplan had previously noted that Carroll's failure to prove rape under New York Penal Law doesn't necessarily mean Trump didn't "rape" her as commonly understood, the distinction between legal definitions and common usage became central to this case.
The resolution represents a significant legal victory for Trump, who has consistently challenged media characterizations of the E. Jean Carroll verdict. The $15 million settlement will contribute to establishing a presidential foundation and museum, following the tradition of previous U.S. presidents.
The case underscores the ongoing tension between media freedom and accurate reporting, particularly when covering complex legal matters involving high-profile political figures. The settlement's terms, including the required editor's note and substantial financial compensation, reflect the serious nature of the disputed statements and their potential impact on public perception.
