Rep. Nancy Mace has called on Republicans to boycott ABC News until anchor George Stephanopoulos is held accountable for his interview where he repeatedly called former President Donald Trump a rapist.
Trump filed a lawsuit against ABC News and Stephanopoulos on Monday, alleging that the host intentionally made "false and defamatory statements" about the former president during an interview with Mace on March 10.
During the interview, Stephanopoulos repeatedly shames Mace for being a rape victim and supporting Trump, claiming that "judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape."
Trump's lawsuit argues that the host made the statements "with actual malice or with a reckless disregard for the truth given that defendant Stephanopoulos knows that these statements are patently and demonstrably false."
The Republican presidential nominee was found liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll, but not rape. BREAKING: Donald Trump sues ABC News and host George Stephanopoulos for defaming him during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace.
Good 🔥
The lawsuit stems from Stephanopoulos’ questioning of Mace about being a r*pe survivor.
The show host apparently lied about Trump during his… pic.twitter.com/0ojdHHFS7R
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 19, 2024
"Given Stephanopoulos' knowledge of the actual verdicts in Carroll I and Carroll II and given his vast experience as a journalist, his repeated statements that plaintiff was found liable for rape were false, intentional, malicious and designed to cause harm," Trump's lawsuit says.
"Stephanopoulos knew that his statements about plaintiff were false yet made them in any event."
In a statement on Tuesday, Mace said that Stephanopoulos should pay a "steep price for his actions."
“Bob Iger needs to get control of ABC News. Actions like this are the reason Americans have lost trust in the press. ABC leadership should hold George Stephanopoulos accountable immediately for intentionally lying about Donald Trump during our interview – or pay a steep price for his actions,” Mace said. Nancy Mace issues statement on President Trump's lawsuit against George Stephanopoulos and ABC for defamation during her contentious interview... https://t.co/Uxrd7TSLUy pic.twitter.com/4e6bXoYa34
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) March 19, 2024
“Republicans should also stop going on ABC News until Stephanopoulos is held accountable,” the congresswoman added.
Mace concluded, “Stephanopoulos thought he could use me in his shameful attempt to damage President Trump. It didn’t work because I wouldn’t fall for it. President Trump will always fight for the truth. And so will I. All are on notice now.”
