Liberals on social media and at MSNBC were upset over ABC News’ defamation settlement with President Donald Trump, who sued the outlet. After host George Stephanopoulos claimed that the president-elect “Found guilty of rape” during controversial interview with Rep. Nancy Mace.
“It seems to me that with that statement, ABC has a very strong case. but chose to end the agreement It is not an admission of responsibility. But it is an agreement to end this matter in the best interests of Both sides agreed to release this statement of condolences. Which is definitely not an apology. But I worry about the impact it might have on others. and the chilling effect it could have on those who criticize Donald Trump,” MSNBC legal analyst Barbara McQuaid said during discussions about the defamation settlement on Saturday.
ABC News and Stephanopoulos A settlement was reached with Trump in the defamation case on Saturday. This resulted in news networks paying out $15 million to the president-elect.
“I have to think that the boardroom at ABC had something to do with this decision,” LA Times legal columnist Harry Litman said during an appearance on MSNBC on Saturday. “And my big concern to be more explicit about what Barb said is that Stuck on the fact that he will soon be president.”
MSNBC guest worried ABC’s deal with Trump will affect criticism of him in the media (Screenshot/MSNBC)
ABC NEWS’ GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS INCORRECTLY SAYS TRUMP HAS BEEN FOUND ‘Liable for rape’ 10 times, legal expert says
“So, how does the conference room affect the legal room here? I hope we will learn. But with timing He is in a turning situation. which is extremely worrying in terms of public trust in the criminal justice system and trust in the media, and who has been left to the media to tell the truth that he will come after them to make their lives miserable and It has been successful so far,” Littman added.
“This seems quite objective. And I don’t think George Stephanopoulos was wrong, I apologize,” MSNBC host Simone Sanders said during a network chat Saturday.
Democratic election lawyer Marc E. Elias accused ABC News of bending the knee and kissing the ring with the decision.
“On your knees, ring kissed, another old news outlet chooses obedience,” he wrote on X.
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As part of the agreement, ABC News will pay $15 million to charity. “Presidential foundations and museums to be established by or for plaintiffs. The network will also pay $1 million in legal fees for Trump.
Stephanopoulos and ABC News were also required to issue a “regretful” statement, according to the editor’s note at the bottom of the March 10, 2024, issue. online articlesabout comments made earlier this year that led Trump to file a defamation lawsuit The message read: “ABC News and George Stephanopoulos. “Disappointed by statements made about President Donald J. Trump during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABC’s This Week on March 10, 2024.”
Many libertarians began posting on Bluesky, an app similar to Elon Musk’s X, after the election. Norm Eisen is legal. A CNN analyst wrote, “George Stephanopoulos Not defaming Trump – and I highly doubt George wants to end it.”
George Stephanopoulos Speaking during ABC’s “This Week” (ABC/Paula Lobo via Getty Images)
TRUMP SUES ABC NEWS, GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS on charges of defamation
Starting with the LA Times, then the Washington Post, and now ABC News, they all fell to Donald Trump. When George Stephanopoulos said Trump “raped” E. Jean Carroll, he used the term colloquially, finding Trump culpable for sexually assaulting her. ” USA Today opinion The columnist wrote Blue Sky.
Justin BaragonA former Daily Beast reporter who now writes for the Independent wrote in Bluesky that “this sets a troubling precedent.”
McQuade joined MSNBC’s Ali Velshi to discuss the deal and said the fact that ABC News “disbanded” is concerning.
“But normally in defamation cases you have to prove that the person has been defamed. There is real malice and the substance of the matter is wrong. You also have to show that the person’s reputation has been damaged in this way. ABC seems to have a very strong case here. But they shut it down anyway. And I think it sends a bad signal to other media organizations. It could have chilling effects or self-censorship on the media. For a while they covered the Trump administration. Of course, a strong free press is essential for any administration, even more so in Donald’s. Trump has vowed to go after his enemies,” McQuade said.
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Fox News’ Gabriel Hays and Brook Singman contributed to this report.
