ABC News Reaches $15 Million Defamation Settlement with Trump, Issues Public Apology

ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million to a “presidential foundation and museum” as part of a settlement with President-elect Donald Trump in a defamation lawsuit targeting the network and anchor George Stephanopoulos. The agreement, filed publicly on Saturday, also includes $1 million for Trump’s legal fees and a formal apology from ABC News.

As part of the settlement, ABC News will add the following editor’s note to the online article in question:
“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 stated: “We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing.”

The lawsuit, filed earlier this year, accused Stephanopoulos of defamation for repeatedly stating during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace that a jury had found Trump had “raped” E. Jean Carroll. Trump contended that these remarks were false and malicious, as the jury determined he was liable for sexual abuse and defamation, but did not find Carroll’s rape allegation proven under New York law. Trump’s legal team argued that Stephanopoulos’ comments misrepresented the verdict, causing harm to Trump’s reputation.

The settlement comes shortly after a federal judge ruled that both Trump and Stephanopoulos would need to sit for depositions in the case. The agreement spares Trump from the legal and reputational risks of testifying under oath as he prepares for his upcoming term as president.

This isn’t Trump’s first legal battle with the media. In October, he filed a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS over an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris on 60 Minutes, alleging partisan interference in the 2024 election.