ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million toward former President Donald Trump’s presidential library as part of a settlement in a defamation lawsuit. The suit stemmed from anchor George Stephanopoulos’ inaccurate claims about Trump’s legal liability in cases involving writer E. Jean Carroll.
Settlement Avoids Depositions
The settlement, finalized on Friday, includes a $15 million “charitable contribution” for Trump’s library and $1 million in legal fees for Trump’s attorney, Alejandro Brito. The agreement averted court-ordered depositions for Trump and Stephanopoulos, which were scheduled for the following week.
“We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement,” ABC News spokesperson Jeannie Kedas said. Trump’s representatives declined to comment.
On-Air Defamation Allegations
The case originated from a March 10 segment of Stephanopoulos’ “This Week” program, where he claimed Trump had been “found liable for rape” and defamed the victim. While a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation in E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuits, it did not conclude that rape occurred under New York law’s narrow definition.
The Legal Backdrop
Carroll, a former advice columnist, accused Trump of raping her in a Bergdorf Goodman department store in the mid-1990s. Trump denied the allegations, calling them fabricated. Carroll’s lawsuits resulted in judgments totaling $88.3 million, which Trump is appealing.
Stephanopoulos’ misstatements about these verdicts led Trump to file the defamation lawsuit, accusing ABC News of spreading falsehoods damaging his reputation.
Terms of the Settlement
The settlement requires ABC News to transfer the $15 million contribution to an escrow account for Trump’s library within 10 days. The funds will support a nonprofit associated with the yet-to-be-built library.
While $15 million is a substantial amount, it represents only a fraction of the potential cost of the library. For comparison, former President Barack Obama’s library is estimated to cost $830 million.
Closing Remarks
The settlement brings an end to the lawsuit, sidestepping further legal battles. However, Trump continues to face legal challenges as he appeals the judgments in Carroll’s cases. Meanwhile, ABC News’ acknowledgment of its error aims to restore its credibility amidst the controversy.
