ABC News Settles Defamation Case with Trump for $15 Million

ABC News has reached a settlement with Donald Trump, agreeing to pay $15 million following defamation claims made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos, alongside additional apologies and charitable contributions.

ABC News has officially settled a defamation lawsuit with President-elect Donald Trump for a total of $15 million after anchor George Stephanopoulos made false claims regarding a jury finding Trump "liable for rape". The statements were made during a March 10, 2024 interview when Stephanopoulos challenged Congresswoman Nancy Mace about her support for Trump.

In the wake of a prior civil case, a New York jury ruled that Trump was liable for "sexual abuse" against E Jean Carroll, though it clarified that the term "rape" has a specific and narrower legal definition under New York law. As part of the settlement, ABC will not only pay Trump $15 million, designated as a charitable contribution to a presidential foundation, but will also cover an additional $1 million toward Trump’s legal fees.

Furthermore, ABC News committed to publishing a corrective statement in its March 2024 online article, expressing regret over Stephanopoulos' comments: “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." A spokesperson for ABC expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the lawsuit, emphasizing their commitment to addressing the matter responsibly.

This lawsuit is part of a broader legal landscape involving Trump, which includes ongoing litigation against CBS, and attempts to hold multiple news outlets accountable for alleged defamatory statements. Notably, Trump’s prior defamation lawsuit against CNN was dismissed by a judge, showcasing the ongoing complexities of legal battles tied to high-profile media coverage.