President-elect Donald Trump has recently concluded a significant legal battle with ABC News, having filed a defamation lawsuit against the network in March. This lawsuit arose from allegations made during a televised interview, and now the case has reached a resolution, marking an important moment in media and political relations.

Discover the details surrounding the defamation lawsuit, its implications, and the eventual outcome that followed. This case highlights the complex interplay between media narratives and political figures, particularly in the context of high-profile interviews.

Understanding the Grounds for Trump’s Defamation Lawsuit Against ABC News

In March, Trump initiated a defamation lawsuit against George Stephanopoulos, the well-known anchor of ABC News, after he made a controversial statement during an interview. This comment suggested that Trump had been legally found “liable for rape” in a civil case. The remark emerged during a charged discussion with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who had shared her own experiences as a rape victim, intensifying the emotional weight of the exchange.

Following the clip where Mace spoke about her endorsement of Trump, Stephanopoulos confronted her by mentioning that both judges and juries had determined Trump to be “liable for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape.” This assertion related to the legal victory achieved by Trump’s accuser, E. Jean Carroll, further complicating the narrative surrounding Trump and allegations of sexual misconduct.

Despite repeating this assertion multiple times throughout the interview, it is crucial to note that Trump had only been deemed liable for sexual abuse in the 2023 verdict involving the writer. Under New York law, there is a clear distinction between sexual abuse and rape. Judge Lewis Kaplan, in a subsequent ruling, clarified that while Carroll had not established rape “within the meaning of New York Penal Law,” it should not be interpreted to mean that Trump had not “raped” her, according to the broader societal understanding of the term.

Financial Settlement: What ABC News Agreed to Pay Donald Trump?

As part of the resolution to this legal dispute, ABC News has consented to pay Donald Trump a substantial sum of $15 million. These funds are designated for a charitable purpose, specifically intended for a “presidential foundation and museum” dedicated to Trump. In addition, the settlement includes the provision of $1 million to address Trump’s legal fees, along with a formal public apology issued by ABC News.

Additionally, an editor’s note has been appended to the original March 10, 2024, article that sparked this defamation lawsuit. The note states: “ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABC’s This Week on March 10, 2024.” This acknowledgment aims to address the fallout from the comments made and their implications in the public domain.