Trump Settles Defamation Suit with ABC, Stephanopoulos for $15M, Targets Des Moines Register

Dec 17, 2024, 11:40 AM

President-elect Donald Trump has settled a defamation lawsuit against ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos, who misstated verdicts in civil lawsuits against Trump on air. ABC News agreed to pay Trump $15 million, which will be directed towards his presidential library, and an additional $1 million in legal fees. The settlement also includes a public apology from ABC News and Stephanopoulos for their statements made during an interview with Representative Nancy Mace. Following the settlement, Stephanopoulos deactivated his account on X, where he had over 2.3 million followers. Trump has escalated his legal threats against other media outlets, announcing plans to sue the Des Moines Register and pollster Ann Selzer over an inaccurate poll published before the election. The settlement has sparked discussions about media accountability and the potential chilling effect on journalism.