ABC and Stephanopoulos Agree to Pay Trump $15M, Issue Apology in Defamation Lawsuit Settlement
The network and anchor are set to cover $1 million in legal fees for Trump.
TroibNews 
ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos reached a settlement with President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday. As part of the agreement, the network will apologize and pay $15 million to a Trump-related foundation, along with $1 million to cover Trump's attorney fees.
The settlement was filed in federal court in Miami on Saturday afternoon, representing a victory for Trump, who had sued the network and its prominent anchor for libel. This legal action stemmed from Stephanopoulos stating on air that Trump was found liable for the rape of writer E. Jean Carroll. Although a jury had determined last year that Trump sexually abused and defamed Carroll, they did not find him liable for rape. However, a federal judge in New York later ruled that referring to Trump as being found liable for rape was accurate in "common modern parlance."
As part of the settlement, first reported by Fox News, ABC News is required to add an editor's note expressing "regret" to the online article in which Stephanopoulos' comments were included.
“We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing,” an ABC News spokesperson stated on Saturday.
This resolution comes after a federal magistrate judge had ordered both Trump and Stephanopoulos to participate in four-hour depositions the following week.
Trump's lawsuit against ABC and Stephanopoulos is just one of several cases he has filed against media organizations and political adversaries. Throughout his presidential campaign, he leveraged these lawsuits to enhance the visibility of his campaign and to promote a narrative of being unfairly targeted. With his return to the White House now secured, any ongoing cases could create challenges for Trump as he may be required to provide sworn testimony and submit related documents.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
The settlement was filed in federal court in Miami on Saturday afternoon, representing a victory for Trump, who had sued the network and its prominent anchor for libel. This legal action stemmed from Stephanopoulos stating on air that Trump was found liable for the rape of writer E. Jean Carroll. Although a jury had determined last year that Trump sexually abused and defamed Carroll, they did not find him liable for rape. However, a federal judge in New York later ruled that referring to Trump as being found liable for rape was accurate in "common modern parlance."
As part of the settlement, first reported by Fox News, ABC News is required to add an editor's note expressing "regret" to the online article in which Stephanopoulos' comments were included.
“We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing,” an ABC News spokesperson stated on Saturday.
This resolution comes after a federal magistrate judge had ordered both Trump and Stephanopoulos to participate in four-hour depositions the following week.
Trump's lawsuit against ABC and Stephanopoulos is just one of several cases he has filed against media organizations and political adversaries. Throughout his presidential campaign, he leveraged these lawsuits to enhance the visibility of his campaign and to promote a narrative of being unfairly targeted. With his return to the White House now secured, any ongoing cases could create challenges for Trump as he may be required to provide sworn testimony and submit related documents.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
