by Jeff Childers
President Trump received some more good legal news yesterday. The Hill reported the story under the headline, “Judge won’t dismiss Trump’s defamation suit against ABC, Stephanopoulos.”
In a 21-page ruling issued yesterday, U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga rejected several defenses ABC and anchor George Stephanopoulos had raised against Trump’s lawsuit, including that they were protected by a fair reporting privilege. President Trump seemed happy:
Trump’s lawsuit alleged ABC’s anchorman defamed him. Stephanopoulos repeatedly stated on-air that President Trump was found “liable for rape” in the stale, thirty-year-old lawsuit brought by advice columnist, card-carrying cat lady, and one-letter first named E. Jean Carroll.
But the jury had found Trump liable for sexual abuse, not rape. They actually found him not guilty of rape.
For some reason for which ABC’s lawyers must someday answer, Stephanopoulos repeatedly and stubbornly refused to correct the record when given the chance. So Trump sued him. If the network’s lawyers ever wake up from their legal coma, they will advise ABC to settle. Now that the judge has denied dismissal, Trump’s team is entitled to discovery and the case will proceed to trial.
ABC lacks good options at this point. Under federal rules, the denial of a motion to dismiss is generally not appealable until after trial. So now, they’re on the Trump train till it reaches the final station, unless they buy their way off.
ABC did not respond to requests for comment. The delicious irony of giant media companies refusing to give statements when they are in the news is a dish best served warm with a side of vanilla syrup.
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