- ABC News and George Stephanopoulos agreed to pay $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by President-elect Donald Trump.
- The settlement amount will be directed towards a "Presidential foundation and museum" established by or for Trump, similar to previous presidents.
- Stephanopoulos's claims on "This Week" that Trump was found "liable for rape" were inaccurate. The actual verdict was for "sexual abuse," not rape.
- This settlement is part of a series of legal triumphs for Trump, including dismissals of other cases against him.
- The case highlights the importance of precision and accuracy in reporting, especially on sensitive legal matters, and serves as a caution for journalists to be more vigilant in their fact-checking and phrasing.
ABC News and its top anchor, George Stephanopoulos, have just agreed to shell out a whopping $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by President-elect Donald Trump.
The settlement, announced over the weekend, comes after a heated legal battle that has been closely watched by the public and the media alike.
The $15 million payment will be funneled into a "presidential foundation and museum," a charitable contribution that will, according to the settlement terms, be established by or for Trump, in the model of what previous presidents have done. Additionally, the network will cover Trump's legal fees, a stark reminder of just how significant this case has been.
ABC News found itself on the wrong end of this lawsuit after Stephanopoulos made a series of claims regarding Trump during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC). The incident in question occurred on March 10, 2024, on ABC's "This Week," when Stephanopoulos claimed that Trump was found "liable for rape" in a civil case. This statement was a mischaracterization of the actual ruling, which found Trump liable for "sexual abuse" rather than rape.
The confusion stems from a jury's determination that Trump was liable for the sexual abuse of author E. Jean Carroll, but not for rape as defined under New York law. Despite this, Stephanopoulos made a point of saying "rape" ten times during the interview, clearly playing on the more common understanding of the term in the public eye.
Stephanopoulos, at first, was defiant about the lawsuit. In an interview with Stephen Colbert, he stated that he wouldn't be "cowed out of doing my job because of a threat," referring to Trump's lawsuit. However, resistance quickly turned into negotiations, and now, ABC News and Stephanopoulos must issue a statement of "regret" regarding the mischaracterization of the verdict.
The settlement comes just as a judge was preparing to hear depositions of both Trump and Stephanopoulos ahead of a potential trial. U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisette M. Reid was set to order both parties to participate in the depositions, but the settlement has avoided what would have been a costly and damaging trial for the media outlet.
For Trump, this is a significant win in a series of legal triumphs. The President-elect recently secured dismissals of multiple cases against him, including one by Special Counsel Jack Smith related to the 2020 election, and another in New York v. Trump. These victories have demonstrated the power Trump's legal team can wield, especially under the guidance of senior legal adviser Boris Epshteyn.
The perils of loose language in broadcasting
This case highlights the delicate balance journalists must strike when reporting on sensitive legal matters.
Accuracy is paramount, especially when dealing with allegations that can have serious repercussions. Stephanopoulos's repeated use of the term "rape," despite the jury's verdict, was a misstep that demonstrated a lack of care and accuracy in his reporting. Although it’s true that the term "rape" is often used colloquially to describe severe sexual assault, in a legal context, precision is essential.
ABC News now finds itself in the uncomfortable position of paying a significant sum to a former president accused of widespread misconduct. The network has released a statement expressing "pleasure" at the settlement, but this seems like an understatement. The fact that Stephanopoulos and ABC News are stating regret is another indication that this was a costly mistake. (Related: Trump accuses mainstream media of industrial-scale libel and political bias, demands $10B in damages.)
For journalists, this case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of precision, accuracy and a deep understanding of the legal and social implications of the language they use. In the future, reporters must be even more vigilant in their fact-checking and more careful in their phrasing, especially when dealing with sensitive topics.
For the public, this settlement should raise concerns about the balance between holding journalists accountable and maintaining a free press that can hold leaders to account. A robust democratic society depends on a free and fearless press, one that is both accurate and courageous.
Head over to Journalism.news for stories similar to this.
Watch the video below that talks about the settlement ABC News is paying Trump for the defamation suit.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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