ABC News/Disney settles Trump defamation lawsuit for $15 million

ABC News agreed to pay $15 million to President Trump's presidential foundation, plus $1 million in legal fees, to settle a defamation lawsuit. The suit stemmed from anchor George Stephanopoulos saying during a March 2024 interview that Trump had been "found liable for rape" in the E. Jean Carroll case; while a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse, it did not find him liable for rape. ABC also issued a statement of regret. Media lawyers told NPR that ABC had an "exceptionally strong case" but settled to avoid litigating against a sitting president while parent company Disney has business interests before the administration.