President-elect Donald Trump has secured a $15 million settlement from ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos in a defamation lawsuit. The case centered on statements made during a March 2024 interview, which Trump argued misrepresented the outcome of a civil case against him.
The lawsuit arose after Stephanopoulos repeatedly claimed during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) that Trump had been “found liable for rape.” However, the jury in the E. Jean Carroll case determined Trump was liable for “sexual abuse,” a separate and distinct legal term under New York law. Trump’s legal team maintained that the comments were defamatory and harmful to his reputation.
🚨BREAKING: George Stephanopoulos and ABC News must apologize and pay Commander in Chief & President Trump $15 million to settle defamation lawsuit. George Stephanopolous falsely stated that Trump r*ped E Jean Carroll. Hell no! 100% lied!
Nothing can stop the Trump Win! FAFO 🤣 pic.twitter.com/GcY2Pclxlf
— AJ Huber (@Huberton) December 14, 2024
As part of the settlement, ABC News agreed to issue a formal apology and add an editor’s note to the original article. The note stated, “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 terms include a $15 million payment to establish a charitable foundation and museum associated with Trump, similar to those created by past U.S. presidents. Additionally, ABC News will cover $1 million in Trump’s attorney fees.
JUST IN: ABC News forced to pay $15 million to Trump to settle defamation lawsuit, George Stephanopoulos forced to issue public apology.
The development stems from a March incident where Stephanopoulos claimed Trump was found “liable for r*pe.”
Now, ABC News has to pay $15… pic.twitter.com/jsRuetccuv
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 14, 2024
ABC News expressed satisfaction with the resolution, releasing a statement saying, “We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing.” The settlement was filed in federal court in Florida, avoiding the depositions and a potential trial that had been looming.
ABC News has to pay President Trump $15M and $1M in attorney fees as a settlement to the defamation lawsuit he brought after George Stephanopoulos lied by saying that Trump was "found liable for rape."@ABC and George Stephanopoulos also must apologize as part of the settlement.… pic.twitter.com/yhJYcnbw9I
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) December 14, 2024
The case highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and the media, with his legal team framing the settlement as a victory for accountability in reporting. The agreement brings an end to one of the many legal battles Trump has faced while preparing to assume office once again.
