American Broadcasting Companies Inc. (ABC) and ABC News have sought a 30-day delay to respond to a defamation lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump against the network and its host George Stephanopoulos.
In his lawsuit, President Trump argues that Mr. Stephanopoulos made a dozen allegedly defamatory remarks on air on March 10 when the host repeatedly stated that a jury had found the former president liable for the rape of writer E. Jean Carroll.
According to a court filing, ABC, which was served on March 19, reached out the next day to President Trump’s attorneys, who consented to the broadcaster’s accepting service on behalf of Mr. Stephanopoulos, who hadn’t been served.
The broadcaster has until April 9 to file a response motion, and Mr. Stephanopoulos has until May 20.
ABC has requested a uniform response date of May 10.
“The Complaint in this case raises two claims concerning twelve allegedly defamatory statements that relate to Defendants’ reporting on findings in the Carroll Litigation. The requested extension will allow undersigned counsel sufficient time to conduct an investigation of Plaintiff’s claims, review the record in the Carroll Litigation, and formulate consolidated and complete responses to the Complaint.”
At the heart of the lawsuit are remarks made by the host of “This Week With George Stephanopoulos” on March 10 during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.).
The complaint alleges that Mr. Stephanopoulos repeatedly stated that a jury had found President Trump liable for the rape of Ms. Carroll, despite being “aware of the truth.”
During the heated interview, Ms. Mace, who was the victim of a rape at 16, accused the host of “shaming” her. Mr. Stephanopoulos, on the back foot, repeatedly claimed that President Trump had been “found liable for rape,” in various permutations.
“Judges in two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming a victim of that rape,” was one such claim.
“Donald Trump has been found liable for rape by a jury,” he said in another.
“I’m asking you a question about why you endorsed someone who’s been found liable for rape,” Mr. Stephanopoulos said.
Mr. Stephanopoulos was aware that the jury didn’t find the former president liable for rape, “yet still falsely stated otherwise,” the former president’s complaint argued.
“These statements were and remain false, and were made by Defendant Stephanopoulos with actual malice or with a reckless disregard for the truth given that Defendant Stephanopoulos knows that these statements are patently and demonstrably false,” the complaint read.
The lawsuit contends that these allegedly defamatory statements were made by the host “within the scope and course of his employment“ and ”with intent to harm.” The complaint also took aim at the broadcaster for airing the allegedly defamatory content.
The complaint alleged that the ABC host “was and is aware of the truth“ about the determinations made by the subject juries and that his statements were ”prepared in advance and were written on notes” that he was reading from while making these defamatory statements.
ABC previously declined to comment when contacted by The Epoch Times.
Ms. Carroll alleged that the incident took place at Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan more than two decades ago. She alleged that President Trump’s actions constituted sexual offenses, including rape.
President Trump denied the allegations, and although the jury found him not liable for rape, it did find him liable for sexual assault. This verdict is currently under appeal.
