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ABC News Settles Trump's Defamation Suit for $15 Million, Issues On-Air Apology Over Misstatements

Dec 16, 2024, 02:44 PM

ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos have settled a defamation lawsuit with President-elect Donald Trump, agreeing to pay $15 million and issue an on-air apology. The lawsuit arose from Stephanopoulos's repeated statements—made ten times in a March 'This Week' interview—that a jury found Trump 'liable for rape' in a lawsuit filed by advice columnist E. Jean Carroll. In reality, Trump was found liable for sexual abuse, not rape. The settlement allows ABC News to avoid having Stephanopoulos testify under oath. Critics argue that the settlement sets a troubling precedent and reflects media capitulation, potentially undermining journalistic integrity. ABC News expressed regret over the misstatements in an editor's note.