(ProsperNews.net) – ABC News is facing ongoing backlash following its $15 million settlement with President-elect Donald Trump, a deal that has sparked criticism from both inside and outside the network. The settlement stems from a defamation lawsuit filed by Trump after anchor George Stephanopoulos repeatedly claimed on his show, This Week, that Trump was found “liable for rape” during a tense interview with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. The jury in the civil case had actually found Trump liable for “sexual abuse,” a separate legal distinction under New York law.
The settlement, publicly disclosed last weekend, includes a $15 million contribution to a future presidential foundation and museum established by or for Trump, along with $1 million to cover his legal fees. Both Stephanopoulos and ABC News issued statements of “regret” over the erroneous claims, though Stephanopoulos has remained silent on the matter during recent broadcasts.
Critics have not held back. A former senior ABC News staffer, speaking anonymously to Fox News Digital, took direct aim at Stephanopoulos, questioning why the network continues to pay him an eight-figure salary despite declining ratings for Good Morning America (GMA), the fallout from his statements, and his reduced role at ABC, including being passed over to moderate the network’s September presidential debate. “It’s disgraceful that George Stephanopoulos continues to earn an eight-figure salary,” the former staffer said, adding that ABC’s parent company, Disney, and CEO Bob Iger should address what they view as “self-debasing cronyism.”
Stephanopoulos’ GMA has recently fallen behind NBC’s Today show in ratings, and his diminished role in the network’s high-profile events has fueled speculation about his future at ABC.
Criticism has also come from media figures like MSNBC’s Jen Psaki, who argued that the settlement sets a dangerous precedent. “This incentivizes threats and intimidation,” Psaki said, warning it could erode journalistic independence and accountability in politics.
Meanwhile, Washington Post media critic Erik Wemple called the settlement a “low, low point” for ABC News. He argued the $15 million payout and accompanying public apology amount to a significant victory for Trump, one that bolsters his narrative about media bias. Wemple added, “ABC News will never live down this capitulation.”
The controversy underscores broader tensions in the media landscape as networks navigate covering Trump while also avoiding legal and reputational pitfalls. For ABC News, the fallout from this settlement appears far from over.
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