ABC News has reached a settlement agreement in the defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against anchor George Stephanopoulos and the network. As part of the settlement, ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million to a presidential foundation and issue a statement of apology.
According to the terms of the settlement, ABC News will transfer $15 million to a presidential foundation and museum established by or for Donald Trump. The payment will be made within 10 days of the agreement’s effective date. In addition to the financial settlement, ABC News must issue an apology statement within one day of the settlement’s filing. The apology will be added as an editor’s note at the bottom of the interview that sparked the lawsuit, acknowledging the inaccurate statements made by Stephanopoulos regarding President Trump.
The defamation lawsuit was filed after George Stephanopoulos inaccurately stated during an interview on “This Week” that President Trump was found liable for raping journalist E. Jean Carroll. The settlement comes just one day after a federal judge ordered Trump to sit for a deposition in relation to the lawsuit.
In addition to the financial settlement and apology statement, ABC News has also agreed to pay $1 million in legal fees to Trump’s legal team. The news of the settlement was first reported by Fox News Digital.
This settlement brings an end to the legal dispute between Donald Trump, ABC News, and George Stephanopoulos. It serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate reporting and the consequences of defamation in the media industry.
