ABC News Settles Lawsuit with $15 Million Payment to Trump’s presidential library.
ABC News has agreed to settle a lawsuit by paying $15 million to the presidential library of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. The settlement comes after a legal dispute regarding remarks made by ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos during a broadcast on March 10, 2024, which were linked to a civil case filed by writer E. Jean Carroll against Trump.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on March 19, accused Stephanopoulos of making false and malicious comments during an interview with U.S. Representative Nancy Mace. During the interview, Stephanopoulos had discussed Trump’s legal battles and remarked that the former president had been deemed liable for rape, leading to widespread dissemination of these statements.
The plaintiffs claimed that the comments were made with malicious intent and led to reputational harm. As part of the settlement, ABC News is required to pay $15 million to Trump’s presidential library, in addition to issuing a public statement.
“We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms outlined in the court filing,” an ABC News spokesperson said.
The lawsuit specifically referenced a moment during the March 10 interview with Representative Mace, who has openly discussed her own experience as a rape survivor. Stephanopoulos asked her why she would endorse Trump, despite his ongoing legal issues, particularly a civil case brought against him by Carroll.
As part of the settlement agreement, ABC News will also issue a statement clarifying their position on the matter. The network and Stephanopoulos will express regret over the comments made during the interview, acknowledging that they were misinterpreted and should have been framed more carefully.
The full statement from ABC News is expected to be published by Sunday, following the conclusion of an online article related to the interview. The settlement closes a contentious chapter between the network, Trump, and the parties involved in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit involving ABC News and George Stephanopoulos stems from comments made during an interview on March 10, 2024, with U.S. Representative Nancy Mace. In this interview, Stephanopoulos made comments regarding Donald Trump’s legal troubles, specifically referencing his civil case with writer E. Jean Carroll, in which Carroll accused Trump of sexual assault.
Stephanopoulos mentioned that Trump had been “deemed liable for rape” and questioned Mace about why she continued to endorse him despite these allegations. The plaintiff’s legal team argued that Stephanopoulos’ remarks were made in a way that could be deemed defamatory and intended to damage Trump’s reputation. The lawsuit, filed by Trump’s legal team, alleged that these statements were made with malicious intent, spreading misinformation and harm to his reputation.
Specifics of the Settlement
The lawsuit ultimately ended with ABC News agreeing to pay $15 million to the Donald Trump presidential library. The settlement comes with the condition that ABC News also issue a formal statement of regret for the comments made during the interview. The network and Stephanopoulos are expected to publicly acknowledge that their remarks were misleading or incorrectly phrased and could have been construed as defamatory.
Key Elements of the Settlement:
- $15 Million Payment: ABC News will make a significant contribution to Trump’s presidential library, a unique settlement that ensures some of the financial benefit goes to the former president’s legacy institution.
- Public Apology and Regret: ABC News and Stephanopoulos will issue an official apology for their statements, acknowledging the controversy and expressing regret over the misstatements regarding Trump’s legal status. This public statement will be posted at the end of the article that originally covered the interview with Mace.
- Dismissal of the Lawsuit: The legal action will be dismissed, with both parties agreeing to resolve the matter through the settlement, avoiding further litigation.
The case highlights the tensions between media outlets and public figures when it comes to coverage of legal battles and the potential for defamatory comments. It also underscores the responsibility that journalists and news organizations have when discussing sensitive topics such as allegations of sexual assault, especially when those allegations are tied to powerful individuals like Trump.
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