ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos has deactivated his X (formerly Twitter) account amid scrutiny following the network\’s settlement with President-elect Donald Trump in a high-profile defamation lawsuit. The decision comes days after ABC News agreed to pay $15 million to Trump\’s presidential foundation and $1 million in legal fees to resolve the case, which centered on inaccurate statements Stephanopoulos made earlier this year.
The Defamation Lawsuit
The lawsuit originated from a March 2024 broadcast of This Week with George Stephanopoulos, where Stephanopoulos erroneously claimed that Trump was found liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll. While a jury had held Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, it did not find him liable for rape under New York law. Trump\’s legal team argued that the misstatement was defamatory and caused reputational harm, particularly as it occurred during his presidential campaign.
ABC News subsequently issued a public apology, acknowledging the error and clarifying the correct details of the Carroll case. The settlement also required ABC and Stephanopoulos to issue statements of regret, which have been published on the network\’s platforms.
Deactivating X Account
Observers noted that Stephanopoulos’s X account was deactivated shortly after the settlement was announced. While the journalist has not publicly commented on his decision to leave the platform, the move has sparked speculation about whether it was related to backlash over the lawsuit and the growing scrutiny surrounding the incident.
Critics of the anchor have taken to social media to question his accountability, with some accusing him of avoiding further public engagement in the aftermath of the controversy. Supporters, however, suggest that the deactivation may be an effort to focus on his work without distractions from online criticism.
Reaction to the Settlement
The settlement has drawn mixed reactions. Trump supporters view it as a victory, citing it as evidence of media bias and the need for greater journalistic accountability. Trump himself praised the outcome, highlighting the $15 million contribution to his forthcoming presidential foundation as a step toward preserving his legacy.
Media analysts, however, have pointed out the broader implications of the case for news organizations. “This underscores the importance of accuracy in reporting, particularly when dealing with legal matters involving public figures,” said media law expert Karen Abrams. “Even a small misstatement can have significant legal and reputational consequences.”
Scrutiny of Media Practices
Stephanopoulos\’s omission of the settlement during his December 15 broadcast of This Week has further fueled criticism. Despite the settlement directly involving him and the network, neither the incident nor the settlement was addressed on the show. This decision has led to questions about transparency and whether the network missed an opportunity to openly discuss its role in the lawsuit.
The incident has reignited conversations about media accountability and the challenges of navigating the intersection of journalism, public perception, and legal boundaries. For Stephanopoulos, the deactivation of his X account may be a personal step in managing the fallout, but it adds another layer of intrigue to the already complex story.
As ABC News works to move past the settlement, the controversy surrounding Stephanopoulos’s comments and his subsequent actions continues to reverberate. Whether his departure from X signals a long-term shift or a temporary retreat remains to be seen, but the incident serves as a reminder of the high stakes involved in political reporting and the lasting impact of errors in an increasingly polarized media landscape.
Sources
- ABC agrees to pay $16M in defamation settlement with Trump
- ABC News apologizes, settles Trump defamation lawsuit
- George Stephanopoulos\’s comments spark defamation lawsuit
- Media accountability in high-profile defamation cases
- Stephanopoulos deactivates Twitter account following controversy
