this post was submitted on 14 Dec 2024
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67
ABC News settles defamation suit with Trump for $15 million (www.cnn.com)
submitted 2 weeks ago by Nightwingdragon to c/politics
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[–] [email protected] 49 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

This is insane. The payment is alone insane, but to issue an apology is just crazy.

There was a judge who specifically said that that the claim that Trump raped Carroll was "substantially true." This gives enough of a defense to satisfy the actual malice defamation standard in favor of ABC, and if not at a lower court, to appeal this as high as possible. As the article says, this is immediately after the judge ordered Trump to sit for a deposition, which means ABC had extra strong bargaining power.

My only guess is that ABC is doing this as another act of preemptive compliance and obeisance, with much larger implications for how ABC will act in the future. Freedom of press being given up without even a fight.

[–] Nightwingdragon 14 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

This gives enough of a defense to satisfy the actual malice defamation standard in favor of ABC, and if not at a lower court, to appeal this as high as possible.

Emphasis mine. Remember what court is ultimately at the end of that chain, along with the incoming swath of MAGA judges to join the ranks of people like Aileen Cannon. Once you consider that, this route becomes much less appealing.

My only guess is that ABC is doing this as another act of preemptive compliance and obeisance, with much larger implications for how ABC will act in the future. Freedom of press being given up without even a fight.

This. This right here. It's why Joe Scarborough went to maralago to bend the knee. It's why Jeff Bezos declined to endorse Harris. They know that Trump has a hit list, and now has the will, desire, and ability to carry it out. ABC likely crunched the numbers and talked to the lawyers who probably told then that what Trump is doing is highly illegal, but there's nothing that can be done to stop him, and the best they could hope for would be a protracted battle that would cost them far more than $15 million, and could include jail time if Trump decides to make an example of the first company that dares to cross him. Trump calling for a boycott of ABC alone would likely cost the network far more than $15 million if the previous Target and Budweiser boycotts are an indication, and that would probably be just the start.

ABC is simply hedging its bets and shoving George Stephanopoulos onto his own sword whether he wants to fall on it or not. And there's a non-zero possibility that he's going along with it out of the fear that losing his job would be the least of his worries if he didn't.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago

It's absolutely disgusting to see these spineless oligarchs scurry to be first to submit to their new king.

[–] Alexstarfire 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I'd be extremely shocked if SCOTUS, which is what I'm assuming you're referring to, would take on a defemation case.

[–] Modern_medicine_isnt 3 points 2 weeks ago

While you are correct, it isn't this case they are referring to. It's the one where ABC sues because trump retaliated in some way. Like revoking thier broadcast license or whatever. The Supreme court will just say, yeah, he can do that. Even if something in the constitution pretty clearly says he can't...

[–] very_well_lost 9 points 2 weeks ago

Sounds like they overpaid... Haven't they heard they can just donate $1 million to his inaugural fund like all the other oligarchs are doing?

[–] MapleEngineer 13 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Carrol couldn't tell if he raped her with his stubby finger or his tiny penis.

[–] themeatbridge 16 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

What the actual fuck? Trump did rape Carrol. Why is ABC apologizing to a rapist?

[–] Nightwingdragon 10 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Because that rapist is the incoming President of the United States, buoyed by a complicit Congress and a Supreme Court that just granted him all sorts of new powers, that has the power (legal or otherwise) to pull ABC's broadcast license and start jailing people for funzies on made-up charges.

If I walk up to you and put a proverbial gun to your face, I could get you to say anything I want you to say so long as you want to keep your head attached to your shoulders. Same basic thing applies here.

[–] themeatbridge 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

It would be nice if some more people stood up to him.

[–] Nightwingdragon 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Unfortunately, the track record of what happens to people who stand up to Trump is not very good.

[–] themeatbridge 2 points 2 weeks ago

Those who make peaceful revolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable.

[–] Nightwingdragon 1 points 2 weeks ago

She'd know. The finger would be bigger.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago

hahahahahahaha corporations all falling in line behind the fascist. gird your loins folks. you have never seen what's about to transpire in the united states after january 20th before.

[–] uberdroog 2 points 2 weeks ago

Gross