George Stephanoplous Repeatedly Warned by Producers Not to Use Defamatory Word "Rape," Used It Ten Times Anyway;
Also "Humiliated" by Payout to Trump

He just kept saying the word his producers told him would have legal consequences.

Because he's not a journalist. He's the same nasty shrimp who smeared honest women reporting on Clinton's harassment as "nuts and sluts."

George Stephanopoulos was repeatedly told by his executive producer not to "use the word rape" before going on the air to discuss Donald Trump but the ABC News anchor ignored the warning -- a decision that cost the network $16 million, The Post has learned.

Parent company Disney's capitulation last week in the defamation lawsuit by Trump against ABC News and Stephanopoulos shocked media and legal experts, but the damning revelation could help explain why Mouse House CEO Bob Iger signed off on the settlement so quickly.

The "This Week" host uttered that Trump was "liable for rape" while discussing the civil lawsuit won by journalist E. Jean Carroll during an interview with Republican lawmaker Nancy Mace in March.

"'This Week' producer said 'don't use the word rape' before the segment started," a network source told The Post. "The EP [executive producer] said it so many times."

A second source at the show confirmed via a text message viewed by The Post that Stephanopoulos was warned "not to say rape."

Disney's chances of winning the lawsuit would be damaged if Stephanopoulos ignored his producer's warning, legal experts told The Post.

Often, when dealing with litigious subjects, the company's legal team may speak to producers ahead of time to advise on language so as to avoid lawsuits, which is customary in the media industry.

However, it is unclear whether ABC's legal team had been involved before Stephanopoulos went on the air.

ABC News declined to comment. Reps for Disney and Stephanopoulos did not return requests for comment.

Iger agreed to the deal late Friday -- hours after Florida Judge Cecilia Altonaga rejected a request to delay the case and ordered Trump and Stephanopoulos to sit for hours-long depositions just days before Christmas, the New York Times reported Wednesday.

The judge also demanded that Disney turn over emails and text messages sent by and to Stephanopoulos by Sunday -- which could have forced the media mogul's hand if the damning text messages surfaced, according to the Times.

Disney's top lawyer, Horacio Gutierrez, urged Iger to settle the suit rather than risk a civil trial in front of a jury in the president-elect's home state, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal.

...

A source said that ABC News employees are now calling Stephanopoulos "furious George" behind his back. They are also wondering how the star anchor can now cover the incoming Trump administration.

"Everyone seems to be asking that question except ABC brass," the source said.

More on the "humiliation" of "Furious George:"

ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos is "apoplectic" and "humiliated" by the network's decision to pay $16 million to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by President-elect Donald Trump, The Post has learned.

Stephanopoulos, who claimed Trump had raped E. Jean Carroll during an interview with Republican lawmaker Nancy Mace, was particularly upset about being forced to apologize, a source with knowledge of the situation said.

Another source told The Post that "George is defiant."

A third source said Stephanopoulos "is a very guarded person. His circle of trust is so small, and a lot of them don't work [at ABC anymore]."

The first insider added that the host of "This Week" had recently signed a contract extension with Disney-owned ABC News -- though the source did not disclose the terms of the deal.

The former President Bill Clinton aide has kept a low profile since the settlement -- a $15 million donation to a presidential foundation and museum for Trump and another $1 million for Trump's attorney fees -- was announced Saturday.

He has deactivated his X account, where he had more than 2.3 million followers.

Some ABC News staffers fumed at management for keeping a tight lid on coverage of the settlement, the first source said.

It was "front page news everywhere yet ABC doesn't report on itself," the source lamented.

Three sources told The Post that morale is down after a series of layoffs in all departments.

The settlement "is another gut punch," one of the people said. "It's sheer level embarrassment. People are furious."

...

Stephanopoulos did not return multiple requests for comment.

Trump filed the defamation lawsuit against ABC News and Stephanopoulos after the newscaster incorrectly noted that the former president "has been found liable for rape by a jury."

The network and Stephanopoulos released a joint statement on Saturday.

"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," the statement said.

Last year, a Manhattan jury hearing the civil case brought by Carroll, who has alleged she was raped by Trump decades ago, found the Republican liable for sexual battery and defamation -- but not rape.

Jacob Shamsian @JayShams

The New York Times reports that Disney executives agreed to the $16 million settlement with Donald Trump because they feared a Florida jury, retribution from Trump, and the Supreme Court overturning landmark First Amendment law.

T. Becket Adams cracked:

T. Becket Adams @BecketAdams

"ABC paid $15 million to save the First Amendment" is an all-timer in the history of PR spin.

Norman Ornstein @NormOrnstein

I have known George Stephanopoulos since he was a junior staffer in the House of Representatives. He has had a remarkable career. I feel for him; Disney and ABC betrayed him. But if he stays in his position and does not resign, he is complicit in this blow to American democracy.

Mark Hemingway @Heminator

Yes, Stephanopoulos must resign for the good of America!

Ed Morrissey wonders why our Bravest of Brave Fire-Fighters are all leaking about "Furious George's" anger over the settlement... anonymously.

Are you not all Brave Fire-Fighters and Fearless Truth-Tellers? Have I been misled?

CNN's ratings with the important "demo" fell to a fresh low.

New data has revealed that CNN has hit its lowest total day demo rating - a key category for cable news networks - in the outlet's history.

Among the coveted 24 to 54 viewer demographic - referred to as 'demo viewers' - CNN's daily audience dropped by one percent from last year. Last year, CNN's day total demo number was 94,000.

This year, it is reportedly 92,000, Mediaite reported based on to data from Nielsen Media Research.

The media outlet only accounted for 11 percent if cable news viewers during prime time last month after the election.

Since Donald Trump's presidential win, CNN's prime time viewership has slumped by 52 percent, according to Mediaite.

After the election, the prime time demo audience has shrunken to an average of 77,000.

CNN's overall ratings slightly increased since the election, but those increases represent their lifter, 55+ viewers remaining loyal to the network. Viewers 55 and older aren't valued by advertisers because their consumer habits are pretty much set by that age and advertising at them doesn't change those habits.

In other words, CNN's audience is old and aging. I remember how they used to snicker at the age of Fox's audience.

Also "Humiliated" by Payout to Trump&bodytext=He just kept saying the word his producers told him would have legal consequences. Because he's not a journalist. He's the same nasty shrimp who smeared honest women reporting on Clinton's harassment as "nuts and sluts." George Stephanopoulos was repeatedly...&topic=world_news"> posted by Ace at 01:15 PM

| Access Comments