In March 2024, Trump sued ABC, ABC News, and host George Stephanopoulos for comments he made during a March 10 interview. Stephanopoulos said Trump had been found "liable for rape," referencing the May 2023 verdict where a jury found Trump civilly liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll, awarding her $2 million in damages. Trump's lawyers emphasized the jury’s rejection of the rape claim, yet the judge clarified that the definition of rape under New York law is "far narrower" than common usage.
The preservation of our democracy will require much more fight than old media entities like ABC News have so far exhibited. Major players in both traditional and new media recognize the risks they face from the incoming Trump administration. This pattern of capitulation since October signals a troubling trend in media's response to political pressures, particularly regarding the freedom to report on legal matters involving powerful figures.
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