ABC News has agreed to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by US President-elect Donald Trump. The settlement involves a payment of USD 15 million to a "presidential foundation and museum." The lawsuit arose from statements made by network anchor George Stephanopoulos during a March 2024 interview. As part of the settlement, ABC News will also pay USD 1 million to cover Trump's attorney fees and will issue an apology.
The apology will be included as an editor's note on the online article at the center of the lawsuit. The note will state, "ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABC's This Week on March 10, 2024."
Earlier this year, Trump filed the lawsuit in a Florida federal court, claiming that Stephanopoulos and ABC News damaged his reputation. The lawsuit focused on statements made by Stephanopoulos, who said during an interview with South Carolina GOP Rep. Nancy Mace that a jury had determined Trump "raped" E. Jean Carroll.
American journalist and advice columnist Elizabeth Jean Carroll had accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in the late 1990s. Trump has denied these allegations. In May 2023, a jury awarded Carroll over USD 2 million after finding Trump liable for sexually abusing her and USD 3 million for defamation.
ABC News is a television network in the United States that broadcasts news and other programs. It's similar to news channels in India like NDTV or Aaj Tak.
A defamation lawsuit is when someone goes to court because they believe another person or organization said something false about them that hurt their reputation. It's like if someone spread a false rumor about you and you wanted them to stop and apologize.
Donald Trump is a businessman and politician who was the 45th President of the United States. He is a well-known figure in global politics, similar to how Narendra Modi is known in India.
USD 15 million means 15 million US dollars. In Indian currency, this would be a very large amount, around 125 crore rupees, depending on the exchange rate.
A presidential foundation and museum is an organization and place that preserves the history and legacy of a president. It might have exhibits and information about their time in office, like a museum about a famous Indian leader.
George Stephanopoulos is a journalist and television host in the United States. He is known for interviewing important people, similar to how Indian journalists interview politicians and celebrities.
Attorney fees are the money paid to lawyers for their work in a legal case. It's like paying someone to help you with a big problem, like a teacher helping you with a difficult subject.
Elizabeth Jean Carroll is a writer and journalist who accused Donald Trump of sexual abuse and defamation. This means she said he hurt her and then said false things about her.
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