Settlement Agreement and Public Apology
ABC News will pay $15 million to President-elect Donald Trump for settling a defamation lawsuit. The lawsuit followed false claims by George Stephanopoulos, who stated Trump was “liable for rape” during a broadcast. ABC will also pay $1 million to cover Trump’s legal fees.
Stephanopoulos made the false claims on March 10, 2024, while interviewing Representative Nancy Mace. He repeated the incorrect statements 10 times during the broadcast. The remarks misrepresented a 2023 New York jury’s decision that found Trump liable for “sexual abuse” but not rape.
As part of the settlement, ABC News will issue a public apology. The network will add a statement to its March 10, 2024, online article. The statement will read: “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.”
Trump’s Legal Challenges with Media Outlets
In 2023, a New York court found Trump liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll in 1996 but not rape. Judge Lewis Kaplan explained that New York’s legal definition of rape is narrower than common definitions. In a related case, the same judge ordered Trump to pay Carroll $83.3 million for defamation.
Stephanopoulos’ statements falsely claimed that “judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape.” Before the settlement, a judge ordered Trump and Stephanopoulos to give sworn depositions.
The $15 million payment from ABC will be a charitable contribution to a “Presidential foundation and museum” established by or for Trump. The settlement resolves Trump’s lawsuit against ABC. An ABC spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the settlement, stating the matter had been resolved.
Trump’s other lawsuits against media outlets have had mixed results. His defamation lawsuit against CNN was dismissed. He also filed lawsuits against the New York Times and Washington Post, but both were dismissed. Trump’s lawsuit against CBS for “deceptive conduct” is ongoing.
