Donald J. Trump  vs. American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. et al

Case Background

On March 18, 2024, Plaintiff  Donald J. Trump filed a Defamation lawsuit in the United States District Court Southern District of Florida, Miami Division(Case number:  1:24cv21050). This case was assigned to Chief Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga and referred to Magistrate Judge Lisette M. Reid

Cause

Plaintiff Donald J. Trump filed a defamation lawsuit against American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. (ABC News), and George Stephanopoulos. He alleged that the Defendants made false and defamatory statements during a televised interview that aired on a widely watched program. In the broadcast, ABC News and Stephanopoulos allegedly stated and implied that a prior legal proceeding involving Trump and E. Jean Carroll had resulted in him being found liable for rape. Trump emphasized that these statements misrepresented the outcomes of the lawsuits, as neither Carroll I nor Carroll II held him liable for such allegations. He claimed that the Defendants recklessly aired these statements without verifying their accuracy, knowing the significant impact such claims would have on his reputation.

Injuries

Trump asserted that the defamatory statements severely damaged his reputation, both personally and professionally. The broadcast exposed millions of viewers to false claims, tarnishing his public image and diminishing his standing in both political and private spheres. He argued that ABC News’ high-profile platform amplified the harm, causing the false narrative to spread rapidly across media outlets and social networks. Trump claimed that the defamatory statements led to public ridicule, loss of credibility, and unwarranted scrutiny, further exacerbating the reputational harm.

Damages

Trump sought damages exceeding $75,000, arguing that ABC News’ conduct inflicted measurable harm to his reputation and caused significant emotional distress. He claimed that the widespread dissemination of false information undermined his integrity and political aspirations, leading to incalculable harm to his public image. He further contended that the defamatory statements adversely affected his ability to engage in professional endeavors and caused emotional suffering due to the unjust nature of the accusations. By highlighting the reckless and malicious intent behind the Defendants’ statements, Trump underscored the need for both compensatory and punitive damages to address the harm caused.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Donald J. Trump
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Richard Carroll Klugh Jr. | Alejandro Brito
  • Defendant(s): American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. | ABC News, Inc. | George Stephanopoulos
    • Counsel for Defendants: Elizabeth A. McNamara | Nathan Siegel | Alison Schary | Celyra Myers | Marietta Catsambas | Minch Minchin | Nimra H. Azmi | Rachel Elise Fugate | Ricardo M. Martinez-Cid

Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel

“We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing,” an ABC News spokesperson said in a statement.

Claims

Trump brought two claims against the Defendants: defamation per se and defamation per quod. Under defamation per se, he argued that the statements directly accused him of a criminal act, inherently damaging his reputation. He contended that such claims required no further evidence of harm, given their severe and defamatory nature. For defamation per quod, Trump highlighted the broader implications of the statements, including indirect harm to his professional and public image. He accused ABC News and Stephanopoulos of acting with actual malice and recklessly disregarding the truth, further emphasizing their responsibility for the harm caused by their statements.

Defense

The Defendants, including ABC News and George Stephanopoulos, denied all allegations of defamation made by Donald Trump. They argued that the statements aired during the interview were protected by the First Amendment. The Defendants claimed that their statements were not materially false and were substantially true when considered in their entirety. They emphasized that Trump, as a public figure, failed to establish actual malice, a legal requirement in defamation cases involving public figures.

The Defendants further contended that Trump’s claims were barred by privileges, including the fair report privilege, fair comment privilege, and neutral report privilege, under applicable state and common law. They asserted that the alleged statements did not cause Trump any actionable harm or damages and argued that Trump failed to mitigate any damages he claimed to have suffered.

Additionally, the Defendants highlighted that Trump’s alleged damages were speculative and unsupported by evidence. They argued that independent factors, not their statements, caused any purported harm to his reputation. They denied acting with malice or reckless disregard for the truth and maintained that their reporting followed journalistic standards.

The Defendants requested dismissal of the complaint, denying liability for defamation per se or per quod, and opposed any claim for punitive damages. They also reserved the right to amend their defenses as additional evidence became available during discovery.

Jury Verdict

ABC News and George Stephanopoulos settled the defamation lawsuit brought by Donald J. Trump by agreeing to make significant financial payments. On December 13, 2024, the network paid $15 million as a charitable contribution to a “presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Trump.” In addition, ABC News covered $1 million in Trump’s attorneys’ fees as part of the settlement. The agreement marked the resolution of claims stemming from allegations of defamatory statements made during a televised interview.

Court Documents:

Documents Available for Purchase upon Request

Press Release:

https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/national-news/abc-settles-trumps-defamation-suit-for-15m/amp/