ABC News has agreed to contribute $15 million to Donald Trump ’s presidential foundation or museum to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by the president-elect against the network and its star anchor George Stephanopoulos .
Stephanopoulos said on air earlier this year that the president-elect had been found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll . A federal jury determined Trump was liable for sexual abuse.
Along with the contribution, ABC will pay $1 million in legal fees to Trump’s lawyer, according to a court filing made public Saturday.
In addition, Disney -owned ABC News posted a note on its website Saturday that said “ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview” that aired March 10 on “This Week.”
Trump sued Stephanopoulos and ABC not long after the show aired.
“We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit,” an ABC News spokesperson said.
In 2023, Trump was found liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll and ordered to pay $5 million in damages, after a trial in which the advice columnist alleged he raped her in a Manhattan department store nearly 30 years ago.
In 2024, a jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll an additional $83 million for defaming her by saying the former Elle magazine columnist fabricated the assault to generate publicity for her new book.
Trump has appealed both verdicts.
