ABC News to Pay $15 Million in Settlement with Donald Trump Over Defamation Suit

ABC News and its prominent anchor George Stephanopoulos have reached a settlement with President-elect Donald Trump in a defamation lawsuit, resulting in the network agreeing to pay $15 million.

The agreement, publicly filed on Saturday, allows both parties to avoid a prolonged and costly trial.

Settlement Details

The terms of the settlement include ABC News making a $15 million charitable contribution to a “Presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Plaintiff,” following the precedent of previous U.S. presidents.

In addition, the ABC News network will pay $1 million to cover Trump’s attorney fees.

ABC News and Stephanopoulos also issued a public statement of “regret” in an editor’s note appended to a March 10, 2024, article.

The note addresses comments made by Stephanopoulos during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., on This Week:

“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.”

An ABC News spokesperson expressed relief over the resolution, stating:

“We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing.”

Background of the Case

Trump filed the defamation suit after Stephanopoulos claimed during the interview that Trump was “liable for rape” in connection with a civil case brought by E. Jean Carroll.

While a federal jury found Trump liable for “sexual abuse,” it did not determine he was liable for rape under New York law.

After playing a clip of Mace discussing being a victim of rape, Stephanopoulos asked her, “How do you square your endorsement of Donald Trump with the testimony we just saw?” 

“You’ve endorsed Donald Trump for president. Judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape,” Stephanopoulos said, alluding to the legal victory by Trump accuser E. Jean Carroll. 

Stephanopoulos reiterated the disputed claim multiple times during his discussion with Mace.

Initially, Stephanopoulos defended his comments, asserting his belief in the accuracy of his statements and rejecting the notion of backing down under legal threats.

Speaking on CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Stephanopoulos said:

“Trump sued me because I used the word ‘rape,’ even though a judge said that’s in fact what did happen.”

The settlement was reached shortly before both Trump and Stephanopoulos were ordered to provide depositions ahead of a looming Dec. 24 deadline for summary judgment motions.

Legal Implications

Trump’s legal team, led by Florida attorneys Alejandro Brito and Richard Klugh, negotiated the settlement, which was filed in the Southern District of Florida Federal Court.

This resolution marks another victory for Trump in a series of recent legal battles.

Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan recently dismissed Special Counsel Jack Smith’s case related to the 2020 election, while Smith also dropped his appeal in the classified documents case earlier this week.

Separately, Judge Juan Merchan in New York granted Trump’s request to file a motion to dismiss charges from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case.

Trump is also pursuing a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS News, alleging “deceptive conduct” intended to influence the 2024 election through an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris in October.

Broader Context

The ABC News-Trump settlement highlights the ongoing tensions between Trump and major media outlets, as he continues to challenge narratives he considers misleading or defamatory.

It also reflects the increasing legal scrutiny and accountability for statements made in high-profile media settings, particularly those involving public figures and political leaders.

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