ABC News has agreed to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump for $15 million following an inaccurate statement made by anchor George Stephanopoulos. The lawsuit stemmed from Stephanopoulos’ claim that Trump was liable for rape during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace on the March 10, 2024 episode of This Week. As part of the settlement, ABC News will pay the $15 million to a presidential foundation and museum that will be established by or for Trump.

Key Terms of the Settlement

The settlement also includes an apology from ABC News, which will issue a statement within one calendar day. The apology will be added as an editor’s note to the interview that caused the lawsuit. In addition, ABC is required to pay $1 million in legal fees to Trump’s legal team.

Impact on ABC and Stephanopoulos

This defamation suit and subsequent settlement highlight the ongoing legal challenges faced by media outlets and public figures, emphasizing the importance of accuracy in reporting.