ABC News has signed a new contract with its long-standing anchor, George Stephanopoulos, after costing the network millions in a lawsuit settlement with President-elect Donald Trump, as reported.
Stephanopoulos, who was reported to be making up to $18 million per year in his previous contract, was at the center of a defamation suit settled with Trump last week. However, reports suggest that the timing of the settlement and his new contract were coincidental.
ABC News has not responded immediately to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
DISNEY, ABC NEWS CONTINUE TO RECEIVE CRITICISM FOR MASSIVE TRUMP SETTLEMENT: ‘LOW, LOW POINT’
ABC News signed a new deal with liberal anchor George Stephanopoulos following a $15 million defamation settlement with President-elect Donald Trump. (Getty Images)
The extension of Stephanopoulos’ contract came after reports of alleged behind-the-scenes drama at the Disney-owned network. Variety reported that Stephanopoulos was “blindsided” by the decision of his bosses to settle the defamation lawsuit and was “unhappy” with the outcome.
Network insiders were uncertain whether the settlement would impact Stephanopoulos’ future at ABC, according to Variety’s report. However, hours after the story was published, The Los Angeles Times announced the anchor’s extension at ABC.
The lawsuit originated from an exchange Stephanopoulos had with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., in March on his Sunday program “This Week,” during which he stated ten times that Trump was found “liable for rape,” when in reality, the jury in the E. Jean Carroll civil case found him guilty of “sexual abuse,” which has a different legal definition under New York law.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS DOESN’T ADDRESS ABC NEWS’ SETTLEMENT WITH TRUMP’S DEFAMATION LAWSUIT ON HIS SUNDAY SHOW
President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP/Evan Vucci)
Initially, the “Good Morning America” co-host defiantly faced Trump’s lawsuit, stating on CBS’ Stephen Colbert show that he wouldn’t be “intimidated out of doing my job because of a threat.”
“Trump sued me for using the word ‘rape,’ even though a judge confirmed that was the case. We filed a motion to dismiss,” Stephanopoulos told Colbert.
A judge ultimately rejected ABC News’ motion to dismiss Trump’s lawsuit and settled with the president-elect in December before heading to an expensive trial.
LIBERALS CRITICIZE ABC’S SETTLEMENT WITH TRUMP, DEFENDING GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: ‘BOWING DOWN, KISSING THE RING’
ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos falsely stated former President Trump was found “liable for rape” multiple times during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. (Screenshot/ABC News)
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As per the settlement, ABC News will contribute $15 million to a “Presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Plaintiff, as Presidents of the United States of America have established in the past.” Additionally, the network will pay $1 million in Trump’s attorney fees.
Stephanopoulos and ABC News were also required to issue statements of “regret” as an editor’s note at the bottom of an article on ABC News’ website. The note states, “ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABC’s This Week on March 10, 2024.”
Liberals from rival networks including CNN, NBC, and MSNBC accused ABC News of “surrendering” to Trump.
