ABC’s George Stephanopoulos and American Broadcasting Companies face a defamation suit as former President Donald Trump sued them on Monday.
In an episode of ABC’s “This Week with Stephanopoulos,” the left-leaning host repeatedly accused Trump of raping writer E. Jean Carroll, even though the courts had already belied Carroll’s claims.
According to Trump’s complaint, “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 Defendant Stephanopoulos knows that these statements are patently and demonstrably false.”
The former president emphasized that the jury had ruled that he did not rape E. Jean Carroll and that Mr. Stephanopoulos was aware of this “yet still falsely stated otherwise.”
These defamatory statements were made “within the scope and course of his employment or contract” with ABC and “with intent to harm” President Trump.
Moreover, clutching onto his notes during the show, it appeared that Mr. Stephanopoulos had prepared in advance while making such defamatory statements.
Ms. Carroll’s sexual assault accusations remain unfounded, as she claimed that the incident occurred at Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan but could not “specifically” remember the date.
The former president maintained his innocence despite the allegations.
The GOP leader’s complaint stemmed from Stephanopoulos’ interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina), who was raped when she was 16.
In the opening of his show, the ABC host played a clip of Rep. Mace discussing the effect of the rape on her in a 2019 campaign speech.
Stephanopoulos then went straight to the point and asked Ms. Mace about her endorsement of President Trump despite a ruling in favor of Ms. Carroll.
“You endorsed Donald Trump for president. Judges in two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming a victim of that rape. How do you square your endorsement of Donald Trump with the testimony we just saw?” asked Mr. Stephanopoulos.
Ms. Mace clapped back, “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. 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 going to sit here on your show and be asked a question meant to shame me about another potential rape victim. I’m not going to do that.”
