ABC will pay $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by President-elect Donald Trump, according to court documents.
The lawsuit stems from on-air comments made by host George Stephanopoulos, who said Trump was "responsible for rape" during an interview with Nancy Mays that aired in March, AFP reports.
The terms of the agreement require ABC to make a $15 million donation to a fund earmarked for a "presidential foundation and museum" for Trump.
The news organization and Stephanopoulos will also issue a public apology saying they "regret the statements" made about Trump during the aforementioned interview. The broadcaster will pay an additional $1 million in attorney's fees.
Trump was found liable for sexual assault - a misdemeanor other than rape under New York law - in a 2023 lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll.
The agreement marks the latest victory in a string of legal successes for Trump since winning the presidential election on Nov. 5.
Last month, a U.S. appeals court dismissed charges against the Republican for alleged mishandling of classified documents in leaving the White House.
Special U.S. Attorney Jack Smith has also halted a second federal lawsuit over Trump's efforts to rig the 2020 election results.
And for Trump's May sentencing in the hush-money case - the only criminal charge against him that has gone to trial - Judge Juan Merchan postponed sentencing indefinitely. | BGNES
