ABC News has agreed to a $15 million settlement with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to resolve a defamation lawsuit arising from inaccurate statements made by anchor George Stephanopoulos during a broadcast on March 10, 2024.
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Stephanopoulos had erroneously claimed that Trump was “liable for rape,” a statement repeated ten times during an interview with Congresswoman Nancy Mace. The anchor alleged that “judges and two separate juries” had determined Trump’s liability for rape, challenging Mace's endorsement of the President-elect. However, these claims were incorrect.
In reality, a New York civil court jury in 2023 found Trump liable for “sexual abuse” of writer E. Jean Carroll but did not find him liable for rape under the state’s narrowly defined legal framework.
Settlement Terms and Corrective Actions
As part of the settlement, ABC News will pay $15 million to a presidential foundation Trump intends to establish, along with $1 million to cover his legal fees. The network will also append an editor’s note to its March 10 online article, clarifying the legal distinctions between “sexual abuse” and “rape.” Additionally, ABC will issue a public statement expressing regret for the inaccuracies.
The settlement was first reported by Fox News Digital. An ABC News spokesperson confirmed the agreement, stating the network was “pleased” to have resolved the matter.
Context of Trump’s Legal Battles
This settlement adds to a series of high-profile defamation cases involving Trump. In the same 2023 civil case cited by Stephanopoulos, Trump was ordered to pay $83.3 million to E. Jean Carroll for defamatory remarks.
Trump’s legal actions against several media organizations, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and CBS, have largely been dismissed in recent years. However, a lawsuit against CBS remains active, with Trump accusing the network of “deceptive conduct” during an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Implications of the Settlement
The resolution of this lawsuit is notable as Trump prepares to assume the presidency in 2025. The settlement underscores the importance of journalistic accuracy, particularly when reporting on legal matters involving public figures. For ABC News, the agreement brings closure to a significant legal dispute while reinforcing its commitment to editorial integrity.
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