In a landmark legal settlement, ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos have agreed to pay $15 million to President-elect Donald Trump and issue a public apology for defamatory statements made earlier this year. The settlement stems from a lawsuit Trump filed after Stephanopoulos inaccurately claimed during a live interview that Trump had been found “liable for rape” in two separate lawsuits brought by author E. Jean Carroll.
Background on the Case
The controversy dates back to a March 2024 interview on This Week, where Stephanopoulos pressed Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) about her endorsement of Trump. During the segment, he repeatedly asserted—incorrectly—that two juries had found Trump guilty of rape.
The claims referred to lawsuits filed by Carroll, who alleged that Trump had sexually assaulted her in the 1990s and later defamed her by denying the allegations. In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual battery and defamation but explicitly rejected the claim of rape. Similarly, a jury in January 2024 dismissed Carroll’s separate rape accusation, ruling that the evidence did not support her claims.
Despite these verdicts, Stephanopoulos falsely stated during the interview that Trump had been found “liable for rape,” a claim that was subsequently repeated in an ABC News article. Neither the anchor nor the network corrected or retracted the statements, leading to Trump’s lawsuit.
Settlement Details
On Saturday, ABC News and Stephanopoulos reached an agreement to settle the case. The terms include:
- $15 Million Payment: A charitable contribution to a foundation and museum Trump plans to establish as part of his presidential library.
- $1 Million in Legal Fees: Payment of Trump’s attorneys’ fees.
- Public Apology and Corrections: ABC News will issue a public apology and attach corrections to articles referencing Stephanopoulos’s comments. The correction will state: “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 was finalized just before Stephanopoulos and Trump were scheduled for depositions, raising speculation about ABC News’s motivations for avoiding further legal scrutiny.
Reactions to the Settlement
The settlement has been hailed as a significant victory for Trump and a cautionary tale for media outlets. Conservative commentators and public figures were quick to weigh in:
- Megyn Kelly, former Fox News anchor: “Shame on George Stephanopoulos & ABC, who were forced to settle after the judge ordered George to sit for a deposition. They couldn’t have their star further embarrassed under oath. Good for Trump for fighting back.”
- Byron York, Washington Examiner columnist: “ABC News and George Stephanopoulos have learned a $15 million lesson.”
- Jack Posobiec, senior editor at Human Events: “Trump should dedicate a wing of his Presidential Library to Fake News and name it after George Stephanopoulos. Fitting since his mouth is going to fund so much.”
Impact on ABC News
The case has sparked significant criticism of ABC News’s editorial standards. Questions have also been raised about why Stephanopoulos deleted his social media account following the settlement, with speculation that internal communications or deposition testimony could have further damaged the network’s credibility.
Broader Implications
The settlement marks a turning point in holding media outlets accountable for false or defamatory reporting. As conservative filmmaker Robby Starbuck put it:
“I’m glad we’re starting to hold the legacy media accountable when they lie with malice.”
With the legal battle concluded, Trump’s team has indicated that the funds will be used to further his presidential library project. Meanwhile, ABC News faces renewed scrutiny over its handling of high-profile stories and its commitment to accuracy in reporting.