A contentious legal battle between former President Donald Trump and ABC News reaches a dramatic conclusion with a multimillion-dollar settlement.
According to Fox News, ABC News, and host George Stephanopoulos, they have agreed to settle Trump's defamation lawsuit by paying $15 million to a Trump charity and issuing statements of regret over comments made during a March 2024 interview.
The settlement, announced on Saturday, includes an additional $1 million payment for Trump's attorney fees and requires ABC News to publish an editor's note expressing regret for statements made during Stephanopoulos's interview with Rep. Nancy Mace on "This Week." The controversy stems from claims that Trump was "found liable for rape" during the broadcast.
MSNBC legal analyst Barbara McQuade expressed concern about the potential implications of the settlement, suggesting it might discourage media criticism of Trump. The settlement's timing and magnitude have sparked intense debate among legal experts and media professionals.
Democratic election lawyer Marc E. Elias criticized ABC News's decision on social media platform X, characterizing it as an act of submission. His statement reflected a broader sentiment among liberal commentators who view the settlement as potentially damaging to media independence.
Legal analysts and journalists have raised questions about ABC News's decision to settle despite what some consider a defensible legal position. The settlement terms specify that the $15 million payment will go toward establishing a presidential foundation and museum.
Former Daily Beast reporter Justin Baragona and USA Today columnist voiced their concerns about the settlement's impact on future media coverage. Critics argue that the agreement could set a concerning precedent for journalism.
LA Times legal columnist Harry Litman suggested that ABC's corporate leadership likely influenced the settlement decision. He specifically pointed to Trump's upcoming presidency as a potential factor in the network's choice to resolve the case.
MSNBC host Symone Sanders defended Stephanopoulos's original statements, while other media figures have begun migrating to alternative social media platforms like Bluesky in response to the settlement news.
The statement of regret appears as an editor's note at the bottom of ABC's March 10, 2024, online article. The formal acknowledgment represents a significant concession from one of America's major news networks.
The settlement encompasses both financial compensation and public statements, marking a notable victory for Trump in his ongoing conflicts with mainstream media organizations. Legal experts note that while the settlement is not an admission of liability, its terms are substantial.
Several media figures have drawn parallels between this case and previous settlements involving other major news organizations, suggesting a pattern in how media outlets are responding to legal challenges from Trump.
ABC News's $15 million settlement with Donald Trump over defamatory comments made during a televised interview has established a significant legal precedent in media-political relations. The agreement, which includes both monetary compensation and public statements of regret, emerged from a March 2024 broadcast where host George Stephanopoulos made contested claims about Trump's legal status.
