Summary
Legal experts, including former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance, criticized ABC News for settling Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit for $15 million, calling it “far from normal.”
The lawsuit stemmed from anchor George Stephanopoulos’ claim that Trump was “found liable for rape” in the E. Jean Carroll case.
While New York law defines rape narrowly, Judge Lewis Kaplan noted, “In other words, [Trump] in fact did ‘rape’ Ms. Carroll as that term commonly is used and understood in contexts outside of the New York Penal Law.”
Critics questioned why ABC settled early, suggesting political deference to Trump.
The same reason media won’t ask the obvious follow-up questions: “we CaN’T lOsE aCcESs!”
Can you imagine the badge of fucking honor they’ll have if anyone stands up to Trump and causes the network to lose their White House credentials, or their broadcasting license?!
But noooooo. The business of news comes first, this we must uphold shareholder value.