Internet weighs in as Trump sues ABC, George Stephanopoulos for defamation after host accused him of rape

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: Former President Donald Trump has sued ABC News and George Stephanopoulos for defamation, arguing that the anchor damaged his reputation by repeatedly stating on air that Trump was found guilty of raping writer E Jean Carroll.

Trump filed the complaint in the federal court in Miami on Monday, March 18, in response to a widely-circulated exchange on March 10 on 'This Week' between Rep Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Stephanopoulos.

The lawsuit challenges Stephanopoulos' assertion that Trump was "liable for rape" during his questioning, according to the New York Post, despite the fact that a Manhattan civil case jury last year held Trump merely accountable for sexual abuse in accordance with New York law.

What prompted Donald Trump to sue Stephanopoulos and ABC News?

ABC News' George Stephanopoulos asked Rep Nancy Mace during the interview, “Judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape. How do you square your endorsement of Donald Trump with the testimony we just saw?”

In a 20-page complaint, Trump's lawyer Alejandro Brito accused Stephanopoulos of making the fraudulent assertions "with actual malice or with a reckless disregard for the truth". The lawsuit argues that Stephanopoulos' remarks were widely distributed and spread extensively among third parties.

“Indeed, the jury expressly found that Plaintiff did not commit rape and, as demonstrated below, Defendant George Stephanopoulos was aware of the jury’s finding in this regard yet still falsely stated otherwise,” Brito added.

The video interview between Stephanopoulos and Mace, the Republican congresswoman who has come forward about being sexually assaulted as a teenager, became viral on the Internet and was used as evidence in the lawsuit.

Stephanopoulos queries Mace's ability to continue supporting Trump in light of the fact that he was judged “liable for rape".

In May of last year, a jury in New York declared that Trump was obligated to pay $5 million in damages for having sexually assaulted Carroll and deliberately defamed her by branding her a "liar".

Trump was ordered by a Manhattan jury to pay Carroll $83.3 million in a defamation lawsuit that Carroll later filed, following which the 77-year-old MAGA strongman filed an appeal.

In an effort to stop Carroll from accusing him of rape on national television, Trump also tried to file a countersue.

However, it is to be noted, that former President Donald Trump has already brought several similar, and unsuccessful defamation lawsuits against media organizations whose coverage he finds objectionable.

One such lawsuit, for $475 million, was dismissed by a federal judge in July against CNN.

In his lawsuit, the former POTUS sought an unspecified amount of damages.

Internet weighs in on Trump suing ABC News, George Stephanopoulos for defamation

People on X shared their immediate reactions and opinions on the news of former President Donald Trump filing a defamation lawsuit against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos, claiming his reputation was damaged by Stephanopoulos' multiple on-air statements about him "raping" writer E Jean Carroll.

One X user remarked: "He should demand $83 million. It's only fair."

Another user said: "In Stephanopoulos’ position, & with his platform, he should know better."

Another user wrote: "E. Jean Carroll set the precedent... Twice. Game on."

One user claimed: "Since this happened in New York, I'm pretty sure Trump won't have a chance. New York is too corrupt."

Another X user remarked: "It’s about time. He’s missing out on a lot of money everywhere honestly…"

Finally, this user tweeted: "At some point Trump is going to have to create his own law group just to handle the volume of legal battles he is in."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.