ABC News has resolved a defamation lawsuit with former President Donald Trump by agreeing to a significant financial settlement, along with a public note of regret.
ABC News will pay $15 million towards the funding of Trump's presidential library and an additional $1 million in legal fees to settle the defamation claim initiated by Trump, NPR reported.
The lawsuit stemmed from ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos's misstatement during a broadcast of "This Week" on March 10. Stephanopoulos wrongly asserted that Trump had been legally found liable for raping E. Jean Carroll, contradicting court outcomes.
After the broadcast, Donald Trump filed a defamation lawsuit against Stephanopoulos and ABC News for spreading false claims.
Although Trump was found liable for sexually assaulting and defaming Carroll in previous cases, these rulings did not equate to a rape conviction under strict legal standards. Judge Lewis Kaplan clarified that while the jury viewed Trump's actions as rape, they did not meet the specific legal definition under New York Penal Law.
Judge Lewis Kaplan expressed the complexity of the legal definitions versus public perception:
"The verdict did not mean that Carroll 'failed to prove that Mr. Trump 'raped' her as many people commonly understand the word 'rape.' Indeed ... the jury found that Mr. Trump in fact did exactly that."
As part of the settlement, ABC News is tasked with posting a note on its official site expressing regret for the wrongful claim. This action is intended both as a correction and as a step towards mitigating the damages caused by the statement.
ABC News commented on the resolution of the lawsuit, stating, "We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing." This statement underscores the mutual interest in resolving the dispute without further court actions.
This case highlights the serious consequences of inaccuracies in media reporting, especially on legal matters, and the importance of precision in journalism. The settlement resolves the legal conflict between ABC News and Donald Trump while setting a precedent for media accountability.
ABC News has committed a significant sum to support Trump's presidential library and cover legal costs as part of the settlement. Additionally, the broadcaster issued a public expression of regret, reinforcing the high standards expected in journalism and the responsibility media organizations hold.
