Staff Reports
In a stunning turn of events, ABC News and George Stephanopoulos have decided to play nice with President Trump, opting for a $15 million settlement instead of pushing their luck with a messy trial. The cash won’t go into Stephanopoulos’s pocket or ABC’s slush fund, though. Instead, it will be funneled into a charitable contribution that will help kickstart a Presidential museum or foundation dedicated to Trump—just in time for the holiday season. Nothing says “happy holidays” quite like a giant check for $15 million committed to celebrating the accomplishments of the man who has kept America talking for years.
The U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Florida has also instructed ABC News to issue a little “oops” by adding an Editor’s Note to an article due within a day. This note will inform readers that ABC and Stephanopoulos express regret for statements made about Trump during a riveting discussion with Rep. Nancy Mace. Apparently, their remarks didn’t sit well with the former president or his legal team, who decided to take a stand and swing the gavel of justice.
Stephanopoulos certainly didn’t play the role of a gracious host during that interview with Mace, pressing her on her support for Trump despite her past trauma. The only thing more uncomfortable than the interview itself was the awkward silence that must have followed his line of questioning. After all, shaming a rape victim about her political choices is certainly not a best practice for an anchor trying to maintain journalistic integrity.
ABC News, George Stephanopoulos Settle Trump Defamation Suit, Forced To Pay President-Elect $15,000,000 https://t.co/QJkTG3kigd via @dailycaller
— JB (@JBRawhide) December 15, 2024
His efforts fell flat, much like a lead balloon at a birthday party. Despite trying to play the tough guy, Mace had the sense to call him out for his poor attempts at shaming her, making clear that he was wrong to push her into a corner over delicate matters. One would think that after decades in journalism, Stephanopoulos would understand that there’s a line—crossing it leads to a little thing called a defamation lawsuit.
After the dust settled, Trump emerged victorious yet again, proving that the media can’t just say whatever they please without repercussions. The lawsuit exposed that even as the supposed “liberal elite” aim their slings and arrows, they can still be brought to heel when they stray from the facts. Not only does this settlement serve as a reminder of Trump’s enduring presence in the political arena, but it also illustrates the potential consequences of politicizing personal trauma. In the end, ABC learned that trying to balance on a tightrope of political correctness while playing with fire can lead to some serious burns—and a hefty settlement.
