George Stephanopoulos and ABC News are paying Donald Trump $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit. It all started in March 2024 when Stephanopoulos falsely claimed during an interview on This Week that Trump was liable for rape. The settlement includes $15 million for a foundation and museum Trump plans to establish, plus another $1 million to cover Trump’s legal costs. ABC also agreed to issue a public apology—a rare and humbling move for a major news network.
This is a massive victory for Trump. For years, he’s been calling out the media for spreading “fake news,” and now he has a high-profile case to back up those claims. It’s not just about the money; it’s about vindication. This win strengthens his ongoing fight against what he sees as media bias and unfair coverage.
For ABC, this is a tough hit. Paying out $15 million is a huge blow, but the public apology might sting even more. It raises questions about their credibility and could damage trust with their audience. Being forced to admit wrongdoing in such a public way is a heavy price to pay in the battle for journalistic integrity.
The size of the settlement is jaw-dropping. Fifteen million dollars is no small amount, even for a network like ABC. It shows how serious the defamation claim was and the potential damage to Trump’s reputation. Public figures rarely see this kind of payout unless the stakes are sky-high. ABC’s willingness to settle rather than risk more damage says a lot.
This settlement is a wake-up call for the media. Accuracy matters. Accountability matters. And the consequences for getting it wrong can be severe. For Trump, it’s a personal and political win. For ABC, it’s a costly mistake that will leave a mark for years to come.
Sources:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/abc-news-george-stephanopoulos-apologize-205555250.html
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-abc-settlement-forces-stephanopoulos-231822682.html
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/14/trump-abc-stephanopoulos-settlement-00194391