Time for Fake News to Pay Up

Plus: The 2025 Color of the Year

In Today’s BRIGHT

Time for Fake News to Pay Up
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The 2025 Color of the Year
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Time for Fake News to Pay Up

Ed Morrissey at Hot Air highlighted that ABC News settled a defamation lawsuit with Donald Trump for $16 million, including $15 million to his presidential foundation and $1 million in legal fees, following inaccurate statements from anchor George Stephanopoulos. One a political operative, always a political operative! Stephanopoulos falsely claimed Trump was civilly liable for raping E. Jean Carroll, though a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse, not rape. Disney-owned ABC also issued an apology, signaling serious legal concerns.

This settlement may prompt further lawsuits against media outlets making similar claims. Hugh Hewitt noted via X:

Since ABC and George Stephanopoulos apologized to President-elect Trump —and paid a hefty sum to avoid a libel judgment — the question becomes which other media outlets have made the same accusation time and again? Think they need to notice their insurers of a possible claim or run risk of forfeiting coverage? Think Team @realDonaldTrump is running deep dives into who used the same language that George S. used? Sending document retention notices. Those lawyers for 45-47 had their fees paid. They know what the targets are next: Every media organization that used the same formulation as ABC did.

I hope George gets a plaque of recognition at the Trump Presidential Library.