Trump Deposition Scheduled in ABC News Defamation Case

President-elect Donald Trump and ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos have been ordered to give depositions in Trump's defamation lawsuit against the network, stemming from Stephanopoulos's claim that a jury found Trump 'liable for rape' in the E. Jean Carroll case. Although the jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse, it did not find him liable for rape, which has led to Trump's lawsuit against ABC News. U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisette Reid stressed the need for both parties to proceed promptly, setting depositions to take place next week, with Trump’s occurring in Florida. The court had previously rejected ABC's motion for dismissal, enabling the case to move closer to trial. Trump has also filed a $10 billion defamation suit against CBS News amidst several other legal challenges against media organizations. Both sides are now preparing for the depositions under tight deadlines, as ABC must file a motion for summary judgment by December 24.