ABC News Settles Trump Defamation Case for $15 Million Amid Controversial Remarks

In a significant legal development, ABC News has reached a settlement in a defamation lawsuit brought by former President Donald Trump over remarks made by anchor George Stephanopoulos regarding a civil case involving writer E. Jean Carroll. The settlement, which amounts to $15 million, will not only see the network issue an apology but also contribute the funds toward the establishment of Trump's presidential library. The controversy stems from a March 2024 episode of ABC’s This Week, during which Stephanopoulos inaccurately claimed that Trump had been "found liable for rape" concerning Carroll's allegations. The remarks gained widespread attention and were deemed misleading, as Trump had been found liable for sexual assault—not rape—in a civil jury verdict earlier that month. As part of the settlement, which was disclosed this past Saturday, ABC issued a formal apology in an editor's note appended to the original story. The note states, "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." Alongside the monetary settlement, ABC has agreed to pay an additional $1 million in legal fees to Trump's attorney, Alejandro Brito. The funds will be designated as a "charitable contribution" for the future presidential library, reflecting the network's efforts to address the fallout from the misstatement. This legal action arose shortly after Stephanopoulos's comments, which incorrectly linked the verdicts in Carroll’s two civil lawsuits against Trump. The first trial found Trump liable for assaulting and defaming Carroll, resulting in a $5 million damages award. The following trial culminated in a substantial $83.3 million judgment against Trump for further defamation, with Trump currently appealing both decisions. ABC News spokesperson Jeannie Kedas expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the lawsuit, noting, "We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing." The network's swift action in rectifying the misinformation reflects a commitment to journalistic integrity, even amid the contentious backdrop of political and legal battles surrounding Trump. As the story continues to unfold, it highlights the intricate relationship between media narratives and the legal landscape, especially involving high-profile figures like Trump, where public statements can have significant consequences. The implications of this settlement may reverberate beyond the parties involved, serving as a precedent for how media outlets manage and correct factual inaccuracies in reporting.