ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos have agreed to a $15 million settlement with President-elect Donald Trump in a defamation lawsuit stemming from statements made during an interview earlier this year. The settlement, filed in the Southern District of Florida, also includes a public apology.
The case arose from comments Stephanopoulos made during a March 2024 interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) on This Week. Stephanopoulos alleged that Trump had been “found liable for rape” in a civil case brought by E. Jean Carroll. A federal jury had instead determined Trump was liable for “sexual abuse” under New York law, a distinction Trump’s legal team argued Stephanopoulos deliberately misrepresented.
🚨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 and Stephanopoulos issued a statement clarifying the remarks. The editor’s note, added to the article in question, 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 contribution to a charitable foundation and museum to be established by or for Trump, similar to those created by former presidents. Additionally, ABC will pay $1 million to cover Trump’s legal 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 relief at the resolution, stating, “We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing.”
Trump’s lawsuit accused Stephanopoulos of repeatedly mischaracterizing the jury’s verdict during his interview with Mace. Stephanopoulos had doubled down on his claims, asserting that Judge Lewis Kaplan’s ruling justified his use of the term “rape” despite the jury’s findings.
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 settlement was reached just days before scheduled depositions for both Trump and Stephanopoulos. Legal analysts speculate that the agreement was intended to avoid a potentially contentious trial and further public scrutiny.
