ABC News has reached a significant settlement with President-elect Donald Trump, agreeing to pay $15 million after anchor George Stephanopoulos made false statements about Trump during a contentious interview. The defamation suit, which arose from comments made by Stephanopoulos on March 10, 2024, asserts Trump was "liable for rape"; claims disputed by factual interpretations from recent civil trials.
The settlement, filed publicly over the weekend, has been described as averting what could have been a costly trial for ABC News. Besides the substantial monetary payment, the network also committed to donating $15 million to support the establishment of a "Presidential foundation and museum" dedicated to Trump. This historical precedent follows similar actions taken by former presidents.
ABC News will also be paying $1 million to cover Trump's attorney fees as part of the settlement. An editor’s note will be appended to the online article about the March interview, stating: "ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements concerning President Donald J. Trump made during the interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABC’s This Week on March 10, 2024." This note aims to clarify and express remorse for the mischaracterization of legal findings concerning Trump.
During the March broadcast, Stephanopoulos engaged Rep. Nancy Mace, asking her how her endorsement of Trump could align with the allegations against him. He claimed ten times throughout the discussion, incorrectly asserting, "judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape." The network faced backlash for its factual error, especially after the jury’s ruling indicated Trump was found liable for "sexual abuse" – not rape, according to New York law.
Last year, Trump was found liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million for battery and defamation claims. Subsequently, Trump was ordered to pay Carroll $83.3 million for additional defamatory statements made against her. The definitions of rape and sexual abuse were pointed out by Judge Lewis Kaplan to be nuanced, emphasizing the legal distinctions made within state law.
The controversy around the remarks has amplified Trump’s longstanding adversarial relationship with media outlets. ABC News expressed satisfaction over reaching the settlement, stating: "We are pleased the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms outlined in the court filing."
Stephanopoulos had earlier shown resilience against the lawsuit, maintaining his position on speaking truth to power. He told CBS's Stephen Colbert, "Trump sued me because I used the word ‘rape,’ even though the judge said that's what happened. We filed a motion to dismiss."
The filed lawsuit against ABC News noted Stephanopoulos's statements were "false, intentional, malicious and meant to cause harm" to Trump. The timing of the settlement coincided with Judge Lisette M. Reid's recent ruling, which required Trump and Stephanopoulos to submit depositions.
Trump has consistently engaged the media through legal avenues, including previous lawsuits against CBS and other media entities concerning their coverage of him and his legal troubles.
Despite the acknowledgment of media culpability expressed through the settlement agreement, the case sheds light on larger discussions surrounding journalistic accountability and the power dynamics between public figures and the media. Trump's history with the press is not only confrontational but also strategic, as he often leverages legal threats to shape narratives surrounding his political career.
The conclusion of the lawsuit against ABC News marks another chapter in Trump's legal challenges against the media, illustrating the pervasive tension between his administration's message and sources of dissent.
ABC News's agreement to settle, amounting to $15 million, coupled with the public regret about Stephanopoulos's comments, showcases the challenges faced by news organizations when handling sensitive topics involving public figures.
With the settlement finalized, Trump moves closer to less encumbered presidential duties, as open legal cases might have posed risks leading to mandated testimony. The settlement seems likely to bolster Trump's narrative of being wronged by biased media reporting as he prepares for his return to the White House.
This legal development not only emphasizes the impact of on-air comments and their consequences but also raises questions about the standards applied to media figures and their statements surrounding public individuals.
ABC News has faced scrutiny over its reporting, yet the resolution of the lawsuit provides them with the opportunity to reclaim focus on journalistic integrity moving forward. Whether this settlement impacts future coverage of Trump remains to be seen; it highlights the complex interplay between political narratives and news reporting outcomes.
