Former President Donald Trump is suing George Stephanopoulos and ABC, alleging illegal defamation of character.
Trump alleges that the journalist deliberately tarnished his reputation by mentioning several times that the supposed Republican candidate for the 2024 elections had been met responsible for sexual abuse against writer E. Jean Carroll.
The remarks were made during Stephanopoulos’ recent interview with U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC).
According to the lawsuit, Trump objects to Stephanopoulos’ claim that he was found “responsible for rape” since a jury in a Manhattan civil case only found him responsible for sexual assault, a lesser charge.
![Donald Trump sues George Stephanopoulos for defamation 10 Former Republican President Donald Trump arrives for a rally at Dayton International Airport on March 16, 2024 in Vandalia, Ohio.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-2089693720-1024x683.jpg)
“Judges and two separate juries found him responsible for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape,” Stephanopoulos told Mace on Friday’s edition of his show. This week.
“How do you reconcile your endorsement of Donald Trump with the testimony we just saw?”
According to a report from The hillTrump has already filed suit against Stephanopoulos and ABC in federal court in Miami.
![Donald Trump sues George Stephanopoulos for defamation 11 George Stephanopoulos with Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey discuss](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-1677268856-1024x683.jpg)
![Donald Trump sues George Stephanopoulos for defamation 12 George Stephanopoulos with Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey discuss](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-1677268856-1024x683.jpg)
Donald Trump sues George Stephanopolous, alleging defamation with ‘malice’
In his 20-page lawsuit, Trump lawyer Alejandro Brito accused Stephanopoulos of making false statements “with actual malice or with a reckless disregard for the truth.”
“In fact, the jury expressly concluded that Plaintiff did not commit infringement and, as demonstrated below, Defendant George Stephanopoulos was aware of the jury’s conclusion in this regard but still falsely represented otherwise,” continued Brito.
![Donald Trump sues George Stephanopoulos for defamation 13 Donald Trump leaves the stage at the conclusion of a campaign rally at the Forum River Center on March 9, 2024 in Rome, Georgia.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-2072024090-1-1024x683.jpg)
![Donald Trump sues George Stephanopoulos for defamation 14 Donald Trump leaves the stage at the conclusion of a campaign rally at the Forum River Center on March 9, 2024 in Rome, Georgia.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-2072024090-1-1024x683.jpg)
Stephanopoulos has yet to respond publicly to Trump’s allegations.
Trump Campaign Faces a Series of Legal Issues
Carroll’s civil case against Trump is far from the only legal challenge his campaign has faced so far.
In August, Trump was indicted by a Georgia grand jury on charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
![Donald Trump sues George Stephanopoulos for defamation 15 President Donald Trump arrives for a rally at Dayton International Airport on March 16, 2024 in Vandalia, Ohio. The rally was organized by Buckeye Values PAC.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-2089690916-1024x683.jpg)
![Donald Trump sues George Stephanopoulos for defamation 16 President Donald Trump arrives for a rally at Dayton International Airport on March 16, 2024 in Vandalia, Ohio. The rally was organized by Buckeye Values PAC.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-2089690916-1024x683.jpg)
The indictment marked the fourth time criminal charges have been filed against Trump in the past year.
The former president now faces 91 charges as he prepares for a general election against incumbent Joe Biden.
The legal issues do not appear to have affected Trump’s popularity with his base, as the 77-year-old has defeated his opponents in all but one of the Republican Party primaries and is expected to secure his party’s nomination with ease.
![Donald Trump sues George Stephanopoulos for defamation 17 Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a rally at Dayton International Airport on March 16, 2024 in Vandalia, Ohio.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-2089737319-1024x683.jpg)
![Donald Trump sues George Stephanopoulos for defamation 18 Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a rally at Dayton International Airport on March 16, 2024 in Vandalia, Ohio.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-2089737319-1024x683.jpg)
It remains to be seen whether Trump’s lawsuit against Stephanopolous will help his campaign or hurt it, triggering another series of headlines about the Carroll case.
Whatever the case, Trump probably isn’t worried about his prospects, as polls indicate that among certain key segments of the population, the controversial candidate is more popular than ever.
We will have more updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.