President-elect Donald Trump recently settled his defamation lawsuit against ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos for $15 million. The lawsuit has now been dismissed following the settlement agreement, which was confirmed in a court filing.
The decision to dismiss the case was made by Chief U.S. District Judge Cecelia Altonaga. The records indicate, “The stipulation is approved… the above styled action is hereby dismissed with prejudice,” meaning that neither party can refile the claim.
As part of the settlement, ABC has agreed to contribute $15 million to a presidential foundation or museum, mirroring practices established by previous presidents. Trump will also receive $1 million to cover his legal fees.
Additionally, ABC News and Stephanopoulos will release statements expressing “regret” regarding comments made during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace. The statements will be appended to an online article discussing the issue that led Trump to file the lawsuit.
The controversy began after Stephanopoulos suggested during the interview that Trump had been found “liable for rape” in a separate civil case, despite the fact that the jury ruled he was liable for “sexual abuse,” a different legal definition under New York law. This assertion was repeated multiple times during the interview, prompting Trump to take action.
The resolution of this case comes as both parties aimed to avoid a long and costly trial. Trump’s legal team was prepared to counter the allegations vehemently, emphasizing the difference between the terms used in the legal proceedings.
Represented by Florida attorneys, Trump officially settled the case in the Southern District of Florida. An ABC News spokesperson stated that the network was satisfied with the resolution of the lawsuit.
