Federal Judge Allows Trump’s Defamation Lawsuit Against ABC News to Proceed

Federal Judge Allows Trump’s Defamation Suit Against ABC News to Proceed

A federal judge in Florida has ruled that former President Donald J. Trump’s defamation lawsuit against ABC News will move forward, rejecting the network’s attempt to dismiss the case as baseless. This decision marks a significant moment in a legal battle that has garnered considerable attention.

The lawsuit, initiated in March, contends that ABC’s prominent anchor, George Stephanopoulos, defamed Mr. Trump by asserting on-air that the former president had been found liable for raping author E. Jean Carroll. These claims were made during a March 10 segment of “This Week.”

Last year, a Manhattan civil jury found Mr. Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Ms. Carroll. However, the jury did not hold him liable for the specific charge of rape, which is defined narrowly under New York State law. Still, the presiding judge later indicated that Mr. Trump had indeed been found liable for rape “as many people commonly understand the word.”

Legal standards for proving defamation against public figures are typically stringent. Nevertheless, Judge Cecilia Altonaga of the United States District Court in Miami denied ABC’s initial motion to dismiss the case. In her ruling, she noted, “A jury may, upon viewing the segment, find there was sufficient context. But a reasonable jury could conclude Plaintiff was defamed, and, as a result, dismissal is inappropriate.”

ABC News opted not to provide any comments on the ruling. In contrast, Mr. Trump took to Truth Social to celebrate the decision, branding it “A BIG WIN” against what he referred to as “ABC FAKE NEWS.” He also used a mocking nickname for Mr. Stephanopoulos, calling him “LIDDLE.”

Legal experts have expressed concerns regarding the implications of this ruling. Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., a lawyer specializing in media defamation cases, voiced worries that this decision represents a troubling and incorrect interpretation of defamation law. He argued that it clashes with fundamental First Amendment principles and could deter reporting on legal matters of significant public interest.

Mr. Trump has previously filed multiple unsuccessful defamation lawsuits against various media organizations, with federal judges dismissing his claims against The Washington Post, CNN, and The New York Times.

Looking ahead, ABC News is preparing to host a presidential debate on September 10. While the network continues to move forward with its plans, Mr. Trump has recently expressed uncertainty about his participation, stating he agreed to the debate with the expectation that President Biden would be his opponent.

Mr. Stephanopoulos, listed as a co-defendant in Mr. Trump’s lawsuit, recently conducted a pivotal interview with President Biden. This interview followed heightened scrutiny of the president’s debate performance. Subsequently, Mr. Stephanopoulos issued an apology after being recorded without his knowledge, expressing doubts about Mr. Biden’s capability to serve another term in office.