ABC News is set to pay $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by President-elect Donald Trump, which may "open the door to some dangerous areas where people express opinions," says former jurist Andrew Napolitano to Newsmax.
"For example, you may want to say, I don't think AOC [Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.] was telling the truth. Have you accused her? ... The point is, I am surprised that ABC caved on this," Napolitano told Newsmax's "Carl Higbie FRONTLINE."
"However, here's the law. Normally, when the president sues any public figure – you. You're a public figure. If you sued, you would have to show that the person who spoke ill of you did so knowing that it was wrong or with reckless disregard for the truth. Unless they accuse you of a crime that is libel, per se. So, [anchor] George Stephanopoulos accused Donald Trump of committing a crime, which a jury found he did not commit. Therefore, it's libel, per se," he added.
"Trump doesn't even have to prove the case. The only issue is damages. And I don't know how they came up with $15 million. Honestly, I don't think the president had any damages. He didn't lose money. He didn't lose his job. He didn't lose peace of mind. He's accustomed to people lying about him. But they agreed on the $15 million going to his library foundation, which will be built after he leaves the White House."
ABC News on Saturday agreed to pay $15 million toward Trump's presidential library to settle a defamation lawsuit over Stephanopoulos' inaccurate on-air assertion that the president-elect had been found "civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll."
As part of the settlement made public Saturday, ABC News posted an editor's note to its website expressing regret over Stephanopoulos' statements during a March 10 segment on his "This Week" program. The network will also pay $1 million in legal fees to the law firm of Trump's attorney, Alejandro Brito.
About NEWSMAX TV:
NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America!
- Find Newsmax channel in your home via cable and satellite systems – More Info Here
- Watch Newsmax+ on your home TV app or smartphone and watch it anywhere! Try it for FREE – See More Here: NewsmaxPlus.com