In a major win for President-elect Donald Trump, ABC News and its high-profile anchor George Stephanopoulos have reached a settlement in a defamation lawsuit filed by Trump over false claims aired on the network. The settlement, finalized and made public on December 14, includes a $15 million payment and a formal apology, marking a significant concession from the mainstream media giant.
The dispute arose from comments made by Stephanopoulos during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) on *This Week* in March 2024. Stephanopoulos falsely stated that Trump had been found “liable for rape” in a civil case involving E. Jean Carroll—a claim repeated ten times during the broadcast. In reality, the jury had determined Trump was liable for “sexual abuse,” a distinct legal classification, not rape.
Trump’s legal team filed suit against Stephanopoulos and ABC News, citing defamation and deliberate misinformation. The lawsuit highlighted how the comments distorted the facts to damage Trump’s reputation as he gears up for a return to the White House.
Under the settlement, ABC News has agreed to make a $15 million charitable donation to a “Presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Plaintiff,” mirroring institutions created by past U.S. presidents. The network will also cover $1 million in Trump’s legal fees.
Additionally, both ABC News and Stephanopoulos must publicly express their “regret” for the statements made in the controversial interview. This acknowledgment will be attached as a note of correction at the bottom of the March 2024 article that featured the interview.
The note reads:
*”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.”*
ABC News issued a brief statement following the settlement, saying, “We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing.”
This settlement sends a clear message to the media: baseless accusations and misinformation will not go unchallenged. Trump, who has long decried what he calls the “fake news” media, views the resolution as a vindication of his ongoing fight against biased and false reporting. His supporters see this as a crucial step toward holding media outlets accountable for the narratives they push.
The settlement also underscores the risks journalists face when carelessly spreading misinformation. Stephanopoulos had defended his comments by citing a controversial statement from Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over the Carroll case. Kaplan had written that while Carroll didn’t prove “rape” under New York Penal Law, the incident could still be described as “rape” in a broader sense. Stephanopoulos leaned heavily on this interpretation to justify his remarks but ultimately faced legal repercussions for overstepping.
For Trump, this settlement is more than a legal victory—it’s a symbolic one. As he prepares to take office again, the outcome reinforces his position as a fighter against media narratives that seek to undermine his leadership. It also highlights the importance of accurate reporting in an era where public trust in the media is at an all-time low.
This case serves as a stark warning to left-leaning media outlets: the days of unchecked bias and reckless reporting are over. For Trump and his supporters, it’s yet another sign that their fight for truth is gaining ground.
