ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos have settled a libel lawsuit with President-elect Donald Trump, marking a decisive win for Trump against a mainstream media giant.
The network agreed to issue a formal apology, append a regretful editor’s note to an online article, and pay a Trump-related foundation $15 million, plus $1 million to cover Trump’s legal fees. The settlement, filed in federal court in Miami, underscores Trump’s persistent pushback against what he sees as biased and reckless reporting.
The lawsuit stemmed from Stephanopoulos’ on-air claim that Trump was found liable for the rape of E. Jean Carroll. However, this statement twisted the truth. A jury in a civil case determined that Trump sexually abused and defamed Carroll but did not find him liable for rape. Despite this, a New York federal judge later ruled it was “accurate in common modern parlance” to say Trump was liable for rape—a ruling Trump’s legal team fiercely challenged.
Fox News first reported the settlement, which comes with an admission of regret from ABC News for Stephanopoulos’ misleading comments. “We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit,” an ABC News spokesperson said in a carefully worded statement. Yet, critics argue this is just another example of legacy media scrambling to save face after recklessly smearing Trump.
Notably, this settlement arrived just one day after a federal magistrate judge ordered both Trump and Stephanopoulos to prepare for four-hour depositions. Avoiding that scenario likely motivated the network to cut a deal quickly, especially with Trump’s track record of holding media outlets accountable.
This lawsuit is one of many Trump has filed against media organizations and political rivals, a strategy he used effectively during his presidential campaign. Far from being a distraction, these legal battles have allowed Trump to shine a spotlight on what he calls the media’s relentless bias against him. Now, as he gears up for his second term, these cases highlight his refusal to back down in the face of what he sees as a coordinated effort to undermine his character and his presidency.
Trump’s victory here not only reinforces his narrative of media persecution but also sends a strong message: if outlets like ABC News sling falsehoods, they’ll face real consequences.
