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Did ABC News Settle with Trump to Avoid Public Embarrassment?

Did ABC News Settle with Trump to Avoid Public Embarrassment?

Here’s The Scoop

In a striking turn of events, ABC News has opted to settle a defamation lawsuit with President-elect Donald Trump, shelling out a whopping $15 million to avoid potential public embarrassment. This comes after ABC’s George Stephanopoulos made the erroneous claim on “This Week” that Trump was found liable for rape, a statement that sparked the legal battle.

This settlement is being hailed as a significant triumph for Trump, who has often faced uphill battles in similar cases. Brian Stelter of CNN even acknowledged the victory, noting that renowned First Amendment lawyer Floyd Abrams described it as a “big win” for Trump. Abrams expressed concern over the settlement, suggesting it might encourage Trump to pursue more lawsuits in the future.

Stephanopoulos, a long-time critic of Trump, has been known for his aggressive interviewing style. In a particularly heated exchange with Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, he brought up her history as a rape survivor while discussing the $83 million judgment against Trump in a civil defamation case involving writer E. Jean Carroll. Mace, a staunch Trump supporter, had previously criticized Carroll for her controversial remarks on MSNBC.

The decision by ABC to settle rather than face the discovery process raises questions about what might have been uncovered. Stelter speculated on the potential for embarrassing internal communications at ABC, drawing a parallel to the Dominion lawsuit against Fox News, which exposed damaging emails and texts.

While ABC’s attempt to sidestep public scrutiny by settling might seem prudent, the substantial payout itself is drawing criticism. This development underscores the ongoing media battles and the high stakes involved when public figures like Trump challenge the narratives pushed by mainstream outlets. As the story unfolds, it remains to be seen how this victory will influence Trump’s future legal strategies and interactions with the media.

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