ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million (£12 million) to US President-elect Donald Trump to settle a defamation lawsuit after its anchor, George Stephanopoulos, falsely claimed Trump had been found "liable for rape" during a March 10 interview.
Stephanopoulos made the erroneous statements multiple times while questioning Congresswoman Nancy Mace about her support for Trump. However, a 2023 civil jury had found Trump liable for "sexual abuse" under New York law, not rape, which has a distinct legal definition.
As part of the settlement, ABC News will issue a public statement expressing "regret" over Stephanopoulos's comments. The network will also make a $15 million charitable contribution to a future presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Trump, as well as cover $1 million of his legal fees. Additionally, an editor's note will be added to the online article about the March 10 broadcast clarifying the network’s position.
An ABC News spokesperson said the company was "pleased" that both parties had resolved the matter.
The case stems from a civil trial in 2023 where a jury determined Trump had sexually abused writer E. Jean Carroll in 1996 but did not meet the stricter legal definition of rape under New York law. Trump was also found liable for defaming Carroll and was ordered to pay $83.3 million in damages in a separate case.
During the March broadcast of This Week, Stephanopoulos falsely claimed "judges and two separate juries" had found Trump liable for rape, repeating the statement 10 times. This triggered the defamation suit, which was close to depositions before the settlement was reached.
Trump has filed similar lawsuits against other media outlets, including CBS and The New York Times. However, courts have dismissed his defamation cases against CNN, The Washington Post, and others in recent years.