An extensive lawsuit between ABC News, George Stephanopoulos, and President-elect Donald J. Trump has reached a conclusive settlement.
ABC News and George Stephanopoulos have resolved a defamation lawsuit with President-elect Trump through a payment of $16 million, New York Post reported.
The legal dispute originated after an on-air statement by Stephanopoulos during an interview on ABC's "This Week" hosted on March 10, 2024. It involved allegations improperly attributed to Trump, claiming his liability for rape, which were later clarified as inaccurate.
The settlement, publicly filed on Saturday, details that ABC News will contribute $15 million to a presidential foundation and museum envisioned by Trump, while an additional $1 million will cover Trump’s attorney fees. This arrangement comes after a tense period of legal wrangling that recently escalated to depositions mandated by a magistrate judge.
This financial remedy pairs with an official statement from ABC News and George Stephanopoulos, expressing regret over the controversial statements made during the March interview with Rep. Nancy Mace.
As documented in the settlement agreement:
This formal apology from ABC News and George Stephanopoulos acknowledges their regret over statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during the interview conducted on ABC's This Week with Rep. Nancy Mace.
The basis of the lawsuit was a misstated claim by Stephanopoulos suggesting Trump had previously been found liable for rape, which did not concern a separate verdict by a Manhattan jury in May 2023. The previous case concluded Trump was liable for sexual abuse against E. Jean Carroll in 1996 and subsequent defamation.
The misinformation broadcasted by Stephanopoulos instigated the defamation suit filed against him and ABC News by Trump in a Miami federal court, which has now culminated in the announced settlement.
News of the settlement first came to light through a report by Fox News Digital, revealing the reconciliation efforts and subsequent financial obligations agreed upon by the parties involved.
This settlement marks a significant moment for ABC News, highlighting the challenges media outlets face in maintaining rigorous standards of report accuracy, especially concerning high-profile figures.
The regret expressed by ABC News and Stephanopoulos underlines the importance of factual integrity in journalism and the potential repercussions when standards falter. These statements aim to restore trust and demonstrate accountability to both the public and involved parties.
With the lawsuit settled and apologies issued, both ABC News and George Stephanopoulos aim to move forward, using this experience as a referential point for journalistic standards and the ethical dissemination of information. The $16 million settlement, along with the established future Presidential foundation and museum, also points toward Trump’s ongoing influence and activities following his presidency and recent election success.
