Donald Trump is suing ABC News and George Stephanopoulos for defamation following Stephanopoulos's remarks during a March 10 interview with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.
Stephanopoulos, a former top aide to President Bill Clinton, repeatedly stated on air that Trump was “found liable for rape.” Mace, who is a rape survivor, expressed feeling personally attacked by Stephanopoulos's comments when he questioned how she could support Trump's White House bid.
The lawsuit, filed on Monday, alleges that George Stephanopoulos' statements were “false” and made with “actual malice or with a reckless disregard for the truth,” as Stephanopoulos knew they were demonstrably false. The court document highlights that a jury “expressly found that Plaintiff did not commit rape.”
The suit mentions that Trump representatives reached out to ABC seeking a retraction following the interview, but the Disney-owned news outlet failed to issue an apology or correct the record.
Trump's legal team has requested a jury trial for the defamation lawsuit.
Mace accused Stephanopoulos of “shaming” her through his questioning during the interview, which ultimately led to the defamation lawsuit.
