ABC News will pay a $15 million (€14 million) settlement payment to resolve a defamation lawsuit brought by President-elect Donald Trump, according to court documents.
The lawsuit stemmed from on-air comments made by top anchor George Stephanopoulos, who said Mr Trump was found “liable for rape” during an interview with US Representative Nancy Mace that aired in March.
The terms of the settlement require ABC News to make a $15 million donation to a fund dedicated to “a presidential foundation and museum” for Mr Trump.
The news organisation and Mr Stephanopoulos will also issue public apologies saying they “regret statements” made about Mr Trump during the aforementioned interview and the broadcaster will pay an addition $1 million in attorney fees.
The case was settled one day after Judge Lisette M Reid requested depositions from both Mr Trump and Mr Stephanopoulos.
Mr Trump had been found liable for sexual abuse – a different transgression from rape under New York law – in a 2023 case filed by writer E Jean Carroll.
The settlement marks the latest victory in Mr Trump’s string of legal fortune since winning the 5 November presidential election.
Last month, a US appeals court granted the dismissal of charges for Mr Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents upon exiting the White House.
US Special Counsel Jack Smith also paused a second federal case regarding Mr Trump’s efforts to subvert the 2020 election results, although Mr Trump faces racketeering charges over the same issue in a case out of Georgia.
Regarding Mr Trump’s May conviction in the hush money case – the only criminal charges against him to go to trial – Judge Juan Merchan has indefinitely postponed sentencing.