Former President Donald Trump celebrated a significant legal victory Wednesday, July 24, when a Florida judge refused to dismiss his defamation lawsuit against ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos. The lawsuit originated from an interview with GOP Rep. Nancy Mace, during which Stephanopoulos repeatedly claimed Trump was liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll.
In May 2023, however, a court found that Trump was not liable for rape but he was liable for sexual assault and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages. She had accused Trump of raping her in a New York City department store in the 1990s.
Trump’s legal team argues that Stephanopoulos’ statements were made with actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth, especially since the jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse, not rape. This distinction has fueled Trump’s claims of defamation.
The ruling allows Trump to continue with his lawsuit, which he has touted as a major triumph over what he calls “ABC Fake News.”
The decision comes just before ABC News is scheduled to host a presidential debate on Sept. 10 between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee. While Trump initially agreed to participate, he has recently raised concerns about ABC’s suitability as the host and suggested that Fox News might be a better choice.
