ABC News Settles Defamation Lawsuit with Trump

ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos have agreed to a $16 million settlement with President-elect Donald Trump to resolve a defamation lawsuit stemming from comments made during a March 2024 interview. ABC will donate $15 million to a foundation and museum to be established by Trump and pay an additional $1 million for his legal fees. The lawsuit arose after Stephanopoulos inaccurately claimed Trump had been 'found liable for rape' during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace, who discussed her own experiences as a rape victim. A jury had previously found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll, but not for rape as generally understood. The settlement includes a public statement from ABC expressing regret over the comments made, marking a rare legal victory for Trump against media organizations. This case highlights the ongoing contentious relationship between Trump and major news outlets.