Trump sues ABC, George Stephanopoulos for defamation after host accused him of rape in Mace interview

By Isabel Keane | New York Post

Former President Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos, claiming his reputation was tarnished by the anchor saying multiple times on-air that Trump had been found liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll.

Trump filed the lawsuit in federal court in Miami on Monday over a viral interview between US Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Stephanopoulos on “This Week” on March 10, according to The Hill.

The suit takes aim at Stephanopoulos’ questioning for saying Trump had been found “liable for rape” when a jury in a Manhattan civil case last year only found Trump liable for sexual abuse under New York law.

“Judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape. How do you square your endorsement of Donald Trump with the testimony we just saw? ” Stephanopoulos asked during the interview.

Donald Trump speaks during a Buckeye Values PAC Rally in Vandalia, Ohio, on March 16, 2024.
Donald Trump speaks during a Buckeye Values PAC rally in Vandalia, Ohio, on March 16, 2024.AFP via Getty Images
Nancy Mace gets mad when George Stephanopoulos asks her how she can support Trump.
Nancy Mace gets mad when George Stephanopoulos asks her how she can support Trump.ABC News
Nancy Mace seen during the interview.
Nancy Mace during the interview.ABC News
Donald Trump poses with  George Stephanopoulos for a town hall event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Sept. 15, 2020.
Donald Trump poses with George Stephanopoulos for a town hall event in Philadelphia on Sept. 15, 2020.REUTERS

In a 20-page complaint, Trump’s attorney Alejandro Brito accused Stephanopoulos of making the false statements “with actual malice or with a reckless disregard for the truth.”