ABC News apologizes, pays $15 million for defaming Trump on air
Dec 15, 2024
Washington [US], December 15: ABC News will pay $15 million to settle a lawsuit with US President-elect Donald Trump and apologize for anchor George Stephanopoulos' defamation of him on a program aired in March.
ABC News
The lawsuit stems from comments made by ABC News anchor Stephanopoulos during an interview with U.S. Representative Nancy Mace, who said Trump was "responsible for the rape" of writer and journalist E. Jean Carroll
However, a jury in New York in 2023 found Mr Trump guilty of "sexual abuse", not "rape" in the incident.
The settlement terms, signed by Judge Lisette M. Reid in Miami, Florida, state that ABC News must pay $15 million to a fund related to Mr. Trump, along with paying $1 million in lawsuit costs.
ABC News and broadcaster Stephanopoulos also had to publicly apologize for their erroneous statements about Mr. Trump during the interview.
The settlement marks Mr Trump's latest legal victory following his victory in the November 5 presidential election.
Also on December 14 (US time), Mr. Trump announced that he had chosen Mr. Devin Nunes, CEO of the social networking company Truth Social, to serve as chairman of the intelligence advisory council.
Other nominations on the day included Richard Grenell as special presidential envoy for special assignments in global hotspots such as Venezuela and North Korea; Constellations CEO Bill White as US Ambassador to Belgium; and Troy Edgar as Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
