This case stems from an on-air interview conducted by George Stephanopoulos of ABC News with Representative Nancy Mace in March 2024. During the interview, while discussing the legal battles of former President Donald Trump, Stephanopoulos incorrectly stated that a jury had found Trump liable for the rape of E. Jean Carroll. This statement, repeated multiple times during the broadcast, was inaccurate. A New York jury had indeed found Trump liable for sexual abuse of Carroll, but not for rape, a distinction with significant legal and reputational implications.
Trump, viewing Stephanopoulos’s statements as defamatory and damaging to his reputation, swiftly filed a lawsuit against both the anchor and ABC News in the Southern District of Florida. He alleged the network knowingly broadcast false and malicious statements intended to harm him. The lawsuit contended that ABC News and Stephanopoulos acted with reckless disregard for the truth, amplifying a false narrative that portrayed Trump as a convicted rapist. This, Trump argued, caused significant damage to his public image and standing. The lawsuit sought substantial monetary damages to compensate for the alleged harm inflicted upon his reputation.
The legal proceedings progressed, and in July, a judge rejected a motion to dismiss the case. The judge’s decision indicated that the central question in the case would revolve around whether the statement that Trump was found liable for rape was "substantially true." While acknowledging the jury’s explicit finding that Trump was not liable for rape, the judge’s ruling allowed the case to proceed to the discovery phase, setting the stage for potential depositions of both Trump and Stephanopoulos.
Faced with the prospect of a protracted legal battle and the potential for further negative publicity, both ABC News and Stephanopoulos opted to resolve the matter through a settlement. According to the terms of the agreement, ABC News agreed to a significant financial contribution totaling $16 million. This sum is divided into two parts: $15 million earmarked for a future "presidential foundation and museum" to be established by or for Trump, and $1 million allocated to cover Trump’s legal expenses. As part of the settlement, Stephanopoulos also issued an apology to Trump, expressing regret for the inaccurate statements made during the March broadcast.
The settlement brings a swift conclusion to the legal dispute, avoiding what could have been a lengthy and contentious trial. Both parties avoided the potentially damaging public scrutiny that would have accompanied further legal proceedings, including the scheduled depositions. For Trump, the settlement offers a financial benefit and a public apology from Stephanopoulos. For ABC News and Stephanopoulos, it avoids the risk of a larger jury award and the negative publicity associated with a prolonged legal battle.
The underlying case itself stems from E. Jean Carroll’s allegations that Trump raped her in the mid-1990s. Carroll initially made these allegations public in 2019 and subsequently filed a lawsuit in 2022. Trump vehemently denied Carroll’s accusations, even resorting to personal attacks that fueled the controversy and contributed to further defamation claims. The case culminated in a two-week trial, during which the jury ultimately found Trump liable for sexual abuse, awarding Carroll $2 million in damages for the abuse and an additional $3 million for defamation. However, the jury explicitly rejected Carroll’s claim of rape. Trump denounced the verdict as a politically motivated "witch hunt," maintaining his innocence and vowing to appeal the decision.
The backdrop of the Carroll case and its subsequent media coverage significantly influenced the context in which Stephanopoulos made his erroneous statements. The highly publicized nature of the allegations, the conflicting narratives presented by both parties, and the intense media scrutiny surrounding the trial created a complex and potentially confusing environment for reporting on the case. Stephanopoulos’s misstatement, while regrettable, highlights the challenges of accurate reporting in high-profile cases with intricate legal details and emotionally charged accusations. The substantial settlement reached in the defamation suit underscores the potential consequences of inaccurate reporting, particularly when it pertains to sensitive matters such as sexual assault allegations.
