Former US President Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against ABC News and its presenter George Stephanopoulos for on-air comments made during an interview. In the interview, Stephanopoulos brought up rape allegations against Trump, questioning why congresswoman Nancy Mace still supported him despite these allegations.
Last year, a civil court in New York found Trump liable for sexually abusing E Jean Carroll in 1996, although the jury did not find him guilty of rape. The judge stated that the claim of rape was “substantially true” but clarified that under New York law, rape can only be committed with genitals.
Carroll was awarded $83.3 million for battery and defamation over comments made by Trump denying her accusation. ABC News declined to comment on the lawsuit filed by Trump in Florida, stating that the statements in the interview were false, intentional, malicious, and designed to cause harm.
The interview on ABC’s This Week programme sparked controversy, with Mace expressing offense at the line of questioning and accusing Stephanopoulos of trying to shame her. Trump, who is the presumptive Republican White House candidate, has a history of filing defamation lawsuits against the media, most of which have been unsuccessful.
This legal battle represents a clash between powerful political figures and the media, highlighting the complexities of allegations and legal proceedings related to sexual assault and defamation.
Watch the video below to learn more about why Trump was ordered to pay $83 million to E Jean Carroll.