ABC News to Pay Trump $15M, Apologize in Defamation Settlement

Dec 14, 2024, 09:44 PM

ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos have reached a settlement with President-elect Donald Trump in a defamation lawsuit. The network will pay $15 million to Trump's future presidential foundation and museum, along with an additional $1 million to cover legal fees. The lawsuit stemmed from inaccurate statements made by Stephanopoulos during a March 10, 2024 broadcast, where he incorrectly claimed that Trump was found liable for rape in a civil case involving writer E. Jean Carroll. The settlement also requires ABC News and Stephanopoulos to issue a public apology and publish an editor's note expressing regret for the comments. The agreement avoids a costly trial and resolves the defamation claims.