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Trump’s Defamation Lawsuit Against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos
President Trump recently filed a lawsuit against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos for defamation, following statements made on the anchor’s Sunday news program, “This Week With George Stephanopoulos.” The lawsuit alleges that Stephanopoulos falsely claimed on multiple occasions that Trump had been found legally liable for the rape of E. Jean Carroll.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Southern Florida, accuses Stephanopoulos of making these statements with malice and a disregard for the truth. It further asserts that these statements were widely distributed to third parties and repeated, causing damage to Trump’s reputation.
Legal Background and Context
During a March 10 interview with U.S. Representative Nancy Mace, Stephanopoulos asserted that Trump had been found liable for rape and questioned how Mace could endorse such a candidate. While technically under New York law, Trump was found liable for sexual assault, a judge clarified that Trump digitally raped E. Jean Carroll. The judge’s ruling clarified the nature of the assault Trump committed.
Stephanopoulos’ statement on air that “Donald Trump has been found liable for rape by a jury” has sparked controversy and legal action from the former President. By threatening defamation lawsuits, Trump aims to discourage media organizations from addressing his legal liability for the sexual assault of E. Jean Carroll. This tactic is perceived as an attempt to create a chilling effect in the press, shielding Trump from negative publicity.
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