Trump Wins $15 Million Settlement in ABC News Defamation Case: What You Need to Know!

In a significant legal victory for former President Donald Trump, ABC News has agreed to cough up a staggering $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit stemming from false statements made by prominent anchor George Stephanopoulos. During a contentious interview on March 10, 2024, Stephanopoulos repeatedly claimed that Trump had been found "liable for rape," a statement that ignited backlash and legal scrutiny.

The context of this settlement follows a jury ruling in a civil case in 2023, which found Trump liable for "sexual abuse" against writer E. Jean Carroll, but the jury did not establish that he had raped her in the strict legal sense defined under New York law. This distinction highlights the nuances of legal definitions, as Judge Lewis Kaplan pointed out that the legal implications of rape are far narrower than the common understanding of the term.

As part of the settlement agreement, first reported by Fox News Digital, ABC News also issued an editor's note to express "regret" for Stephanopoulos's misleading statements. Included in the terms is a directive that the network will donate the $15 million as a charitable contribution towards establishing a "Presidential foundation and museum" for Trump—essentially funding his future presidential library.

In addition to the hefty settlement, ABC will cover $1 million in Trump's legal fees. The stipulation requires the network to append an editor's note to the relevant article online, clarifying ABC News and Stephanopoulos's regret for their remarks made during the interview, which questioned Congresswoman Nancy Mace’s support for Trump.

This legal dispute follows an ongoing saga involving Trump, who recently faced jury decisions in two separate cases involving E. Jean Carroll. In the latest trial presided over by Judge Kaplan, Trump was ordered to pay an eye-watering $83.3 million for additional defamatory statements against Carroll.

Despite these court rulings, Trump remains defiant and is appealing the verdicts. Observers note that this settlement demonstrates the continued complexities surrounding Trump’s legal challenges, especially as he repositions himself in the political arena leading up to the next presidential election.

As this story unfolds, it raises questions about media responsibility and the ramifications of public statements regarding high-profile political figures. Stay tuned as more details emerge in this captivating saga involving one of America’s most polarizing figures!