ABC News wants to keep both Donald Trump and George Stephanopoulos happy after paying Trump a $16 million settlement over their star anchor’s comments about the newly elected president.
Bill Clinton’s former aide has reportedly signed a multi-year contract extension with the network, according to the LA times.
Stephanopoulos reportedly received $20 million a year in his current contract for hosting Good Morning America and the Sunday news This Week, as well as producing documentaries.
It comes after the 63-year-old ABC man’s words cost the Disney network $16 million.
Stephanopoulos, who became the target of Trump’s ire last summer and was dubbed “Slopadopoulos,” sparked a lawsuit after saying in an interview that the president-elect was “liable for rape” against writer E. Jean Carroll with Congresswoman Nancy Mace in March.
It states that the network will pay $15 million as a charitable contribution to Trump’s presidential library. They will also pay his legal fees as part of the settlement, which total $1 million.
ABC must also post a note on its website expressing regret over the claim made in a March 10 segment on “This Week” made by Stephanopoulos.
Stephanopoulos is reportedly “apoplectic” and “humiliated” over his old employers’ decision to pay the settlement money.
ABC News wants to keep both Donald Trump and George Stephanopoulos happy after paying Trump a $16 million settlement over their star anchor’s comments about the newly elected president
Stephanopoulos, who became the target of Trump’s ire last summer and was dubbed “Slopadopoulos,” sparked a lawsuit after saying in an interview that the president-elect was “liable for rape” against writer E. Jean Carroll with Congresswoman Nancy Mace in March
However, legal experts have argued that ignoring multiple network warnings not to say “rape” on air is likely to harm their ability to fight back against Trump.
Several anonymous sources are now telling it New York Post that Stephanopoulos was warned not to say “rape” multiple times before the broadcast aired.
The segment involved an interview with Mace, where Stephanopoulos pressed her on why she supported Trump after he was found liable for sexual assault.
Stephanopoulos said, “I’m asking you a question, why are you supporting someone who has been found liable for rape?”
Mace, who has seen her shares rise since Trump’s election, accused the host of trying to shame her by bringing up the matter.
The congresswoman continued, “As a rape victim who has been shamed for years for her rape. You’re trying to shame me again.’
Mace was raped when she was 16 years old and says this drives her to be an advocate for women’s issues.
“I supported a man who I believe is the best for our country. It’s not Joe Biden. You watched the dueling meetings in Georgia yesterday.
The segment involved an interview with Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, where Stephanopoulos pressed her on why she supported Trump after he was found liable for sexual assault.
And here you are trying to shame a rape victim. I think it’s disgusting.’
‘You keep saying I’m a disgrace to you. What does a question about a presidential candidate say…’ Stephanopoulos said. “You’re asking a rape victim,” Mace interrupted.
The settlement, first reported by Fox Newswas filed publicly on Saturday, revealing that the parties had reached an agreement in the lawsuit.
A statement from the network said: “ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements about President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Representative Nancy Mace on ABC’s This Week on March 10, 2024.”
Trump had sued Stephanopoulos and the network for defamation shortly after the segment aired.
His lawyers accused Stephanopoulos of making the statements with “malice” and disregard for the truth.
A jury in New York ordered Trump in May 2023 to pay $5 million in damages for sexually assaulting writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s.
He was subsequently ordered to pay another $83.3 million for defamation after publicly denying sexually assaulting Carroll in a department store dressing room in 1996.
Trump’s lawyers accused Stephanopoulos of making the statements with “malice” and disregard for the truth
A New York jury ordered Trump to pay $5 million in damages in May 2023 for sexual abuse of E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s
Jurors had deliberated less than three hours after a two-week civil trial in which the former president testified for just three minutes.
Stephanopoulos initially opposed the lawsuit, telling Stephen Colbert that he “would not be deterred from doing my job because of a threat.”
He added: “Trump sued me for using the word ‘rape’ even though a judge said it actually happened. We have filed a motion to dismiss.”
Trump is also suing CBS News for $10 billion in damages, alleging the network “conducted deceptively” when it interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris in October.
Lawyers for the president claimed numerous violations by the broadcaster, including lying in a deliberate and malicious manner, according to a lawsuit.
They wrote that the complaint arises from CBS’ partisan and unlawful election acts and voter interference through malicious, deceptive and substantial news distortion intended to confuse, deceive and deceive the public.”
Trump and his team also claim that CBS News tried to provide coverage for Democrats by making Kamala Harris’ performance look better than it was.