December 17, 2024 at 12:17 PM

It’s only $15 Million and an Apologetic Retraction

@EbSnider

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Editor's Note: ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABC’s This Week on March 10, 2024.

This note was added to the end of the following ABC News article with ABC News Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos.

Another highlight from an AP-written post for ABC News (perhaps too much humble pie for an ABC staffer to write):

"inaccurate on-air assertion that the president-elect had been found civilly liable for raping writer"

I can imagine how longtime ABC News star Martha Raddatz might break the news of her network's settlement outcome in the Trump lawsuit over false, malicious assertions made by George Stephanopoulos on ABC programming:

Well, it's only a 15 million dollar payment, a public admission of on-air errors, and an apologetic retraction plus an Editor's Note. But it's no biggie. And Republicans are 'pouncing' on this out of context settlement in an effort to spread misinformation and NewsPhobia. ABC will not be silenced in the face of this outright attack on the Press.

I don't think the esteemed Stephanopoulos thought a judge might actually be impartial in this case. It has occurred often with Democrat lawyers shopping venues and having openly partisan judges providing desired outcomes for the Left, that the possibility of a court being actually critical of them might not have entered their collective mind. Or at least not in the specific case of Stephanopoulos and ABC News.

The fact that the settlement was not sealed and that ABC had to correct the record and issue contrition is more significant than the $15M—oh, plus $1M for Trump's legal fees. One irony is that Stephanopoulos built his Democrat street cred on downplaying sexual misconduct allegations, not trying to exaggerate or fabricate them as an old Clinton ally.

The $15 million is reportedly going to Trump's future Presidential Gold Library and Luxury Golf Resort, complete with gaming tables. Trump, being the consummate showman, might leverage this settlement to brazenly promote his library. Why not have a large placard dedicated to ABC News and a portrait of George Stephanopoulos in the lobby of the Trump library as generous donors to the library's funding? Rich donors to universities and other institutions pay good money for this honor. Include a news blurb on the ABC placard explaining it. Invite George to cut the ribbon upon the opening of the Trump Library. If George has cold feet, maybe just say that Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski will be there for moral support.

This post was promoted to the Main Feed at the recommendation of Ricochet's members.

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Eb Snider@EbSnider1y

ReplyingtoOrange Gerald

Orange Gerald (View Comment):
Per Byron York in the Washington Post:
George Stephnapooulos asked Nancy Mace why she endorsed a rapist.
When Mace pushed back, Stephanopoulos repeated the charge over and over. “Donald Trump has been found liable for rape by a jury,” he said. A few moments later, he said, “I’m asking you a question about why you endorsed someone who’s been found liable for rape.” Later, he said, “You’re supporting someone who’s been found liable for rape.” And still later, he said, “Why are you supporting someone who’s been found liable for rape?” And then: “You don’t find it offensive that Donald Trump has been found liable for rape?” And then: “What you’re doing is defending a man who’s been found liable for rape. I don’t understand how you can do that.” And then: “Donald Trump was found to have committed rape. That’s just a fact.” And then: “You’ve made it very clear you’re comfortable with Donald Trump being found liable for rape.”
To call it overkill would be an understatement. The only problem with Stephanopoulos’s harangue was this: His questions were based on a falsehood. Trump had not been found liable for rape. When the jury in the E. Jean Carroll civil case reached a verdict, it filled out a verdict form. The first question was, “Did Ms. Carroll prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Mr. Trump raped Ms. Carroll?” The jury answered, “No.”
And from John Hinderacker at Powerline:

That's a lot of info in the Byron York article. I believe the link takes me to the Washington Examiner instead of the Post though. But it's probably a good idea to get York syndicated on the WaPo too. Take Taylor Lorenz's vacated spot. We just got you a new gig Byron. Walk in there and pick an office next Monday.

Further regarding the news coverage and the future Trump Library. I don't see how the cringe, yet entertaining interview that E Jean Carrol did with Anderson Cooper could be left out. Carrol comes across as a bit touched in the head. The part when Carrol starts hitting on Cooper and talks about how she thinks "rape is sexy, think of the fantasies" is just incredible. Cooper has an super awkward pause and CNN immediately goes to a cut in the programing to stop the train wreck, I found the clip here. Nervous laughter from Cooper while looking away. Personally I believe this Carrol woman is a bit coocoo for coco puffs. I do not find her allegations credible and it was difficult for her to be on TV for any period of time without creating cringe clips.

Discussion (17)

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EDISONPARKS@user_547421y
"Why not have a large placard dedicated to ABC News and a portrait of George Stephanopoulos in the lobby of the Trump library as generous donors to the Libraries funding"
This is hilarious and awesome and I hope this idea gets back to Trump and his family so it can become a reality someday!
If (D)isney/ABC and (D) operative George want to play along with every (D) lawfare manufactured scandal then when they are flat out caught taking their lies to the civilly liable defamatory level their clusterfeck of lies must be memorialized for history in the most embarrassing way possible .... funding a wing on the future Trump Presidential Library and placing the logos of $15 million dollar patron (D)isney/ABC adorning a large portrait of chief (D)BS'er George Snuffleupagus in the lobby .... perfect!
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Orange Gerald@Jose1y
Per Byron York in the Washington Post Examiner :
George Stephnapooulos asked Nancy Mace why she endorsed a rapist.

When Mace pushed back, Stephanopoulos repeated the charge over and over. “Donald Trump has been found liable for rape by a jury,” he said. A few moments later, he said, “I’m asking you a question about why you endorsed someone who’s been found liable for rape.” Later, he said, “You’re supporting someone who’s been found liable for rape.” And still later, he said, “Why are you supporting someone who’s been found liable for rape?” And then: “You don’t find it offensive that Donald Trump has been found liable for rape?” And then: “What you’re doing is defending a man who’s been found liable for rape. I don’t understand how you can do that.” And then: “Donald Trump was found to have committed rape. That’s just a fact.” And then: “You’ve made it very clear you’re comfortable with Donald Trump being found liable for rape.”
To call it overkill would be an understatement. The only problem with Stephanopoulos’s harangue was this: His questions were based on a falsehood. Trump had not been found liable for rape. When the jury in the E. Jean Carroll civil case reached a verdict, it filled out a verdict form. The first question was, “Did Ms. Carroll prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Mr. Trump raped Ms. Carroll?” The jury answered, “No.”

And from John Hinderacker at Powerline:
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Eb Snider@EbSnider1y
ReplyingtoEDISONPARKS
EDISONPARKS (View Comment):
“Why not have a large placard dedicated to ABC News and a portrait of George Stephanopoulos in the lobby of the Trump library as generous donors to the Libraries funding”
This is hilarious and awesome and I hope this idea gets back to Trump and his family so it can become a reality someday!
If (D)isney/ABC and (D) operative George want to play along with every (D) lawfare manufactured scandal then when they are flat out caught taking their lies to the civilly liable defamatory level their clusterfeck of lies must be memorialized for history in the most embarrassing way possible …. funding a wing on the future Trump Presidential Library and placing the logos of $15 million dollar patron (D)isney/ABC adorning a large portrait of chief (D)BS’er George Snuffleupagus in the lobby …. perfect!
Thanks. And I hadn't realized I made Library plural in that passage until you quoted me. Library's? Maybe instead Libraries 45+47. Something tells me the Trump Library will not me short on content. Just think of the possibilities of the gift shop. But let's wait 4 years before any concrete plans are made for everything.
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Eb Snider@EbSnider1y
ReplyingtoOrange Gerald
Orange Gerald (View Comment):
Per Byron York in the Washington Post:
George Stephnapooulos asked Nancy Mace why she endorsed a rapist.
When Mace pushed back, Stephanopoulos repeated the charge over and over. “Donald Trump has been found liable for rape by a jury,” he said. A few moments later, he said, “I’m asking you a question about why you endorsed someone who’s been found liable for rape.” Later, he said, “You’re supporting someone who’s been found liable for rape.” And still later, he said, “Why are you supporting someone who’s been found liable for rape?” And then: “You don’t find it offensive that Donald Trump has been found liable for rape?” And then: “What you’re doing is defending a man who’s been found liable for rape. I don’t understand how you can do that.” And then: “Donald Trump was found to have committed rape. That’s just a fact.” And then: “You’ve made it very clear you’re comfortable with Donald Trump being found liable for rape.”
To call it overkill would be an understatement. The only problem with Stephanopoulos’s harangue was this: His questions were based on a falsehood. Trump had not been found liable for rape. When the jury in the E. Jean Carroll civil case reached a verdict, it filled out a verdict form. The first question was, “Did Ms. Carroll prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Mr. Trump raped Ms. Carroll?” The jury answered, “No.”
And from John Hinderacker at Powerline:
That's a lot of info in the Byron York article. I believe the link takes me to the Washington Examiner instead of the Post though. But it's probably a good idea to get York syndicated on the WaPo too. Take Taylor Lorenz's vacated spot. We just got you a new gig Byron. Walk in there and pick an office next Monday.
Further regarding the news coverage and the future Trump Library. I don't see how the cringe, yet entertaining interview that E Jean Carrol did with Anderson Cooper could be left out. Carrol comes across as a bit touched in the head. The part when Carrol starts hitting on Cooper and talks about how she thinks "rape is sexy, think of the fantasies" is just incredible. Cooper has an super awkward pause and CNN immediately goes to a cut in the programing to stop the train wreck, I found the clip here. Nervous laughter from Cooper while looking away. Personally I believe this Carrol woman is a bit coocoo for coco puffs. I do not find her allegations credible and it was difficult for her to be on TV for any period of time without creating cringe clips.
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kedavis@kedavis1y
$15 Mil directed to the Trump Library Fund so E. Jean Carroll can't claim it, and $1 Mil for Trump's lawyers and costs.

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