Judge denies bid to dismiss Trump defamation suit against ABC News, George Stephanopoulos

At issue is a claim Stephanopoulos made in March stating that Trump had been found "liable for rape" in E. Jean Carroll's suit against him.

By Ben Whedon

Published: July 24, 2024 2:48pm

A judge on Wednesday declined to dismiss former President Donald Trump's defamation suit against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos.

U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga issued the ruling, allowing the case to advance, The Hill reported.

At issue is a claim Stephanopoulos made in March stating that Trump had been found "liable for rape" in E. Jean Carroll's suit against him. The jury did not determine that Trump's conduct amounted to rape.

Trump, in response, celebrated a "big win today in high Florida court against ABC Fake News, and Liddle' George Slopadopolus."

"A power case! Before you know it, the fake news media will be forced by the courts to start telling the truth," he wrote on Truth Social. "This is a great day for our country. MAGA2024!"

Trump first filed the suit in March, saying that "Stephanopoulos' false, defamatory, and misleading statements about Plaintiff immediately spread like wildfire, as numerous third parties and media outlets repeated and reposted them to countless viewers."