ABC News has reached a $15 million settlement in a defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump. The lawsuit arose from incorrect statements made by anchor George Stephanopoulos during a March 10, 2024, broadcast, where he incorrectly claimed that Trump had been “found liable for rape.”
The remarks occurred during an interview on This Week with South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace. Stephanopoulos repeated the claim several times while questioning her support for Trump. However, in a 2023 civil case, Trump was found liable for sexual abuse under New York law—not rape—due to the state’s specific legal definitions. The same jury also held Trump responsible for defaming E. Jean Carroll, awarding her $83 million in damages, a decision Trump is currently appealing.
Under the settlement terms, ABC News will contribute $15 million to fund a planned Trump presidential library and museum. The network has also agreed to pay $1 million in Trump’s legal fees. Additionally, ABC issued a correction to its March 10 report, expressing regret for the mistake and clarifying the jury’s findings. In a statement, the network said it was pleased to resolve the dispute “in accordance with the terms outlined in the court filing.”
This settlement is part of Trump’s ongoing legal battles with major media outlets, including CBS and CNN. In 2023, a federal judge dismissed Trump’s defamation lawsuit against CNN, while cases against The New York Times and The Washington Post were similarly thrown out.
The case highlights the risks media organizations face when reporting on prominent figures, emphasizing the importance of balancing speed, accuracy, and accountability in journalism.
