ABC News and its anchor George Stephanopoulos have agreed to a $15 million settlement with Donald Trump in a defamation lawsuit stemming from statements made during a March 2024 broadcast. The settlement will see ABC News contribute $15 million to a Trump presidential foundation and museum and cover $1 million of Trump’s legal fees. Both ABC News and Stephanopoulos issued a public apology, acknowledging regret over incorrect claims that Trump was found “liable for rape” in a civil case involving E. Jean Carroll. The statement clarified that a jury had determined Trump was liable for “sexual abuse,” not rape, as defined under New York law.
The legal dispute arose after Stephanopoulos repeatedly used the term “rape” during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace on This Week. The anchor initially defended his remarks, citing a judge’s interpretation that Carroll’s claims could align with the broader, non-legal definition of rape. However, the settlement was reached ahead of scheduled depositions, avoiding a trial.
This case is part of a series of legal victories for Trump in recent months, including dismissed charges in separate federal and state cases. Trump has also filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against CBS News, accusing the network of election interference.
