In a crucial development, a federal judge has unequivocally turned down a motion by ABC News and George Stephanopoulos to dismiss the defamation lawsuit brought against them by former President Donald Trump. This decision slices through the media’s often unchecked power to manipulate public perception, particularly when it involves conservative figures.
The lawsuit originates from a contentious interview in which Stephanopoulos, with deliberate repetition, mischaracterized Trump as being “liable for rape” during a discussion with Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-S.C.). It is crucial to note, however, that the jury in the referenced civil lawsuit, initiated by the discredited former author E. Jean Carroll, found Trump liable for sexual assault, not rape—a significant legal distinction that Stephanopoulos chose to blur misleadingly.
U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga, in a detailed 21-page ruling, dismantled ABC’s defenses, including their claim to the “fair reporting privilege.” Altonaga, appointed by George W. Bush, emphasized the gravity of accurate reporting, especially concerning legal terminology and the outcomes of judicial proceedings. Her ruling underlines a critical lesson: the mainstream media’s creative reinterpretation of legal facts cannot stand unchallenged, particularly when such reinterpretations are broadcast to millions, staining individual reputations. This is not merely about semantics; it’s about the truth and the media’s responsibility to convey it accurately.
The persistence of Stephanopoulos in mislabeling the jury’s verdict as rape — repeated 10 times during the interview — despite Congresswoman Mace’s corrections, speaks volumes about the media’s brazen bias and the lengths they will go to vilify political figures they oppose. This lawsuit, which now proceeds in Miami seeking undisclosed damages, could be a landmark in holding media accountable.
Trump heralded the judge’s decision as a “big win,” a sentiment many Americans share, especially those weary of the mainstream media’s relentless distortion campaigns against conservative leaders. If this trend continues, we might witness a significant shift in media accountability, where networks are forced to retract their swords of words and armor up with integrity instead.
