ABC News has signed a new contract with its longtime anchor George Stephanopoulos after he cost the network millions the settlement of the legal dispute Reportedly with President-elect Donald Trump.
Stephanpoulos, who reportedly earned up to $18 million a year in his previous contract, was at the center of a defamation lawsuit that was settled with Trump last week. However, the timing between the agreement and his new contract was reportedly coincidental.
ABC News did not immediately respond Fox News DigitalPlease comment.
DISNEY and ABC NEWS continue to take issue with massive Trump deal: ‘LOW, LOW’
ABC News signed liberal anchor George Stephanopoulos to a new contract after the network reached a $15 million defamation settlement with President-elect Donald Trump. (Getty Images)
Stephanopoulos’ contract extension followed reports of alleged behind-the-scenes drama at the Disney-owned network. Diversity reported that Stephanopolous was “blindsided” by his superiors’ decision to settle the defamation lawsuit and that he was “dissatisfied” with the outcome.
According to Variety’s report, network insiders expressed doubts about whether the deal would impact Stephanopoulos’ future at ABC. But just hours after this story was published, the Los Angeles Times broke the news of the anchor’s renewal at ABC.
The lawsuit arose from an exchange Stephanpoulos had in March with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., on his Sunday show “This Week,” in which he claimed ten times Trump was found “responsible for rape” when the jury in the E. Jean Carroll civil trial actually found him responsible for “sexual abuse,” which has a clear definition under New York law.
President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, December 16, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida. (AP/Evan Vucci)
First co-host of “Good Morning America.” was defiant In light of Trump’s lawsuit, he told CBS’s Stephen Colbert that he “wouldn’t let a threat stop me from doing my job.”
“Trump sued me for using the word ‘rape’ even though a judge said that’s exactly what happened. We filed a motion to dismiss,” Stephanopoulos told Colbert.
A judge ultimately rejected ABC News’ request to dismiss Trump’s lawsuit and settled with the president-elect in December before a costly trial.
ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos incorrectly said in an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., that former President Trump has been “raped” multiple times. (Screenshot/ABC News)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
According to the settlement, ABC News will pay $15 million as a charitable donation to a “presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Plaintiff, as established by Presidents of the United States of America in the past.” . Additionally, the network will pay $1 million in Trump’s legal fees.
Stephanopoulos and ABC News were also required to issue “regret” statements as an editor’s note at the end of an article on ABC News’ website. The note reads: “ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements about President Donald J. Trump made by George Stephanopoulos during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABC’s This Week on March 10, 2024.”
Liberal critics at rival networks like CNN, NBC and MSNBC accused ABC News of “kneeling” to Trump.
