ABC News to Settle Defamation Lawsuit with Trump for $15 Million
In a significant decision, ABC News has agreed to a $15 million settlement to resolve a defamation lawsuit filed by President-elect Donald Trump. This information was disclosed in court documents made public on Saturday.
The lawsuit originated from comments made by George Stephanopoulos, a leading anchor at ABC, during an interview with U.S. Representative Nancy Mace. During the broadcast in March, Stephanopoulos stated that Trump had been found “liable for rape,” which sparked the legal action.
As part of the settlement, ABC News is required to donate $15 million to a fund aimed at supporting a presidential foundation and museum for Trump. Additionally, both the news organization and Stephanopoulos will publicly apologize, stating that they "regret statements" made regarding Trump during the interview. The settlement also includes a payment of $1 million for legal fees.
This resolution comes just a day after Judge Lisette M. Reid had sought depositions from both Trump and Stephanopoulos, indicating a swift conclusion to what could have been a protracted legal battle.
