According to court filings, ABC News will settle a defamation lawsuit filed by President-elect Donald Trump for $15 million (€14 million), reports RTE.
Top anchor George Stephanopoulos’ remarks that Mr. Trump was judged “liable for rape” in an interview with US Representative Nancy Mace that aired in March were the basis for the complaint.
The settlement stipulates that ABC News must contribute $15 million to a fund for “a presidential foundation and museum” for Mr. Trump.
Along with publicly apologising for their “regret statements” against Mr. Trump in the previously stated interview, the news organisation and Mr. Stephanopoulos will also pay an additional $1 million in legal expenses, reports RTE.
A day after Judge Lisette M. Reid asked for depositions from Mr. Trump and Mr. Stephanopoulos, the matter was settled.
In 2023, author E Jean Carroll brought a lawsuit against Mr. Trump, finding him guilty for sexual abuse, which is a separate crime than rape under New York law.
The settlement is the most recent triumph in Mr. Trump’s run of good fortune in the judicial system since he won the presidential election on November 5, reports RTE.
The allegations against Mr. Trump for allegedly mishandling sensitive materials after leaving the White House were dismissed by a US appellate court last month.
Although Mr. Trump is facing racketeering charges over the same matter in a Georgia case, US Special Counsel Jack Smith has halted a second federal prosecution pertaining to his attempts to tamper with the outcome of the 2020 election.
Judge Juan Merchan has indefinitely postponed sentence in connection with Mr. Trump’s conviction in the hush money case in May, which was the only criminal accusation against him to go to trial, reports RTE.
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