Former president Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against ABC News and host George Stephanopoulos for calling him a rapist during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.).
During a March 10 interview with Mace, the commentator repeatedly claimed that Trump had been found “liable for rape.”
“You endorsed Donald Trump for president,” he said. “Judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape. How do you square your endorsement of Donald Trump with the testimony we just saw?”
“Well, I will tell you, I was raped at the age of 16 and any rape victim will tell you — I’ve lived for 30 years with an incredible amount of shame over being raped,” Mace replied. “I didn’t come forward because of that judgment and shame that I felt. And it’s a shame that you will never feel, George, and I’m not gonna sit here on your show and be asked a question meant to shame me about another potential rape victim. I’m not gonna do that.”
When Stephanopoulos repeated his claim, Mace responded that the verdict did not emerge from a criminal court case.
“I live with shame,” she continued. “You’re asking me a question about my political choices trying to shame me as a rape victim and I find it disgusting.” Just in: President Trump is suing ABC News and George Stephanopoulos for defamation over this Nancy Mace interview.
George lied multiple times when he said: Judges and juries have found Trump liable for r*pe.
Mace:'Trump was not found guilty in a criminal court'🎯 pic.twitter.com/pX7pANmMmp
— Eddie (@ICU1010) March 19, 2024
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in the Southern District of Florida on March 18, alleges Stephanopoulos knowingly defamed Trump over ten times during the broadcast by claiming the former president had been found liable of raping E. Jean Carroll.
“These statements were and remain false, and were made by Defendant Stephanopoulos with actual malice or with a reckless disregard for the truth given that [he] knows that these statements are patently and demonstrably false,” the filing states. “Indeed, the jury expressly found that [Trump] did not commit rape and, as demonstrated below … Stephanopoulos was aware of the jury’s finding in this regard yet still falsely stated otherwise.”
The suit further seeks to hold ABC News accountable for publishing, authorizing and approving the host’s claims, which were "seen and heard by millions of viewers."
The filing cites the verdict form issued by the jury on May 9, 2023, which shows "the jury determined that Carroll failed to prove her allegation of rape and found the Plaintiff not liable as to that allegation," the suit states. FWIW: A New York jury of Democrats who hate Trump found E. Jean Carroll’s rape claims were not credible. The jury determined that Trump did NOT rape her - it is in black and white on the verdict form. pic.twitter.com/B32VC8bLap
— @amuse (@amuse) January 19, 2024
Trump's counsel provided 12 quotes from the March 10 broadcast where Stephanopoulos refers to the former president as being found liable for rape.
The filing cites several instances from separate broadcasts wherein the ABC commentator refers to Trump being found liable for sexual abuse and defamation — but not rape.
During a May 10 interview with Carroll on Good Morning America, Stephanopoulos asked, "How about yesterday in the courtroom ... the first announcement was made, and it was that he was not found liable for rape. What were you thinking in that moment?"
"Given Stephanopoulos' knowledge of the actual verdicts ... and given his vast experience as a journalist, his repeated statements that [Trump] was found liable for rape were false, intentional, malicious and designed to cause harm," the filing states. "[He] knew that his statements about [Trump] were false yet made them in any event."
Trump's counsel claims that, in response to the former president's request for the network to retract and apologize, ABC News modified the headline of a related article to read "Nancy Mace defends her support for Trump after he was found liable for sexual assault."
The lawsuit concludes by requesting a jury trial.
