A federal judge has rejected ABC News and George Stephanopoulos’s attempt to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump. The suit arose after a March interview in which Stephanopoulos repeatedly described Trump as “liable for rape” while speaking with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC).
U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga ruled against ABC’s claim of protection under the “fair reporting privilege,” a defense that U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan had previously applied in Carroll’s case. ABC argued that Carroll’s use of the term “rape” was not defamatory, but Altonaga emphasized the legal distinction between the terms, highlighting that Stephanopoulos’s statements were specific to the jury’s findings in a formal legal proceeding.
The judge noted that ABC’s argument failed to protect Stephanopoulos’s assertions and concluded that a reasonable jury could find the statements defamatory. This decision allows Trump’s lawsuit to proceed, seeking an unspecified amount in damages. Stephanopoulos used the term “liable for rape” ten times during the interview, despite Mace’s attempts to correct him.
Trump celebrated the ruling on Truth Social, calling it a “big win” and expressing hope that the courts will compel the media to report truthfully. This case underscores ongoing tensions between Trump and the mainstream media, highlighting issues of journalistic integrity and legal accountability.
