ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos have reached a settlement with President-elect Donald Trump, agreeing to issue an apology and pay a Trump-related foundation $15 million, along with $1 million for Trump's attorney fees.
Settlement Details
The settlement, filed in federal court in Miami, is a significant win for Trump. The lawsuit stemmed from Stephanopoulos' on-air statement that Trump was found liable for the rape of writer E. Jean Carroll. While a civil suit found that Trump sexually abused and defamed Carroll, he was not held liable for rape. However, a federal judge later ruled that it was accurate to say Trump was found liable for rape in “common modern parlance.”
ABC News Apology
As part of the settlement, ABC News will append an editor's note expressing regret to the online article containing Stephanopoulos' comments. A spokesperson for ABC News expressed satisfaction with the agreement to dismiss the lawsuit.
Upcoming Depositions
The settlement comes after a federal magistrate judge ordered Trump and Stephanopoulos to sit for four-hour depositions. This case is part of a series of legal actions Trump has taken against media organizations and political opponents, which he used to boost his campaign's visibility during his presidential bid.
Future Implications
With Trump's return to the White House, any ongoing cases could require him to provide sworn testimony and submit related documents. This settlement marks a resolution to one of the legal battles Trump has faced.
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