All because a news host couldn’t shut his mouth.
ABC News has agreed to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by President-elect Donald Trump after anchor George Stephanopoulos wrongly stated that Trump had been “found liable for rape” in relation to a case involving writer E. Jean Carroll. The settlement, announced on December 16, includes a $15 million payment to Trump’s presidential library and $1 million to cover the legal fees of Trump’s Florida attorney, Alejandro Brito. The lawsuit stemmed from a March interview, where Stephanopoulos made the misleading claim during a discussion with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.).
During the interview, Stephanopoulos questioned Mace about her support for Trump, despite her own history as a rape survivor. He falsely stated that multiple juries had found Trump “liable for rape,” a misrepresentation of the outcome of Carroll’s civil case, where Trump was found liable for sexual abuse—not rape. Mace challenged Stephanopoulos’ claim, highlighting the inaccuracy and accusing him of attempting to shame her as a rape victim.
Trump’s legal team argued that Stephanopoulos’ remark met the legal criteria for defamation, including the requirement to show “actual malice,” a standard applied to public figures in such cases. They contended that Stephanopoulos made the false statement with reckless disregard for the truth. Following the settlement, ABC News issued a statement confirming that both parties had agreed to dismiss the lawsuit under the agreed terms.
The settlement also drew attention from the New York Post, which criticized Stephanopoulos for crossing a line with his false statement. The editorial praised Trump for directing the settlement money to his library instead of pocketing it, calling it a magnanimous gesture. Had the case proceeded, Trump’s legal team would have had the chance to review ABC News’ internal communications to highlight the network’s disregard for factual accuracy.
After the settlement, Stephanopoulos deactivated his social media accounts and did not address the issue on his show that Sunday.
