Stephanopoulos was referring to a May 2023 civil court decision that held Trump accountable for the 1990s violence and slander of former writer E. Jean Carroll. According to FOX News,
Trump was found guilty of sexual abuse but not rape since sexual abuse is clearly defined by New York law. Trump is contesting the decision. “No. 1, it was not a criminal court case.
Second, I live in humiliation. Mace responded to Stephanopoulos, “And you’re asking me a question about my political choices trying to shame me as a rape victim.”
Later, Mace said she was stunned by the commentator’s line of inquiry and accused Stephanopoulos of trying to intimidate and embarrass her for her support of Trump.
Trump filed a lawsuit against Stephanopoulos and ABC News, claiming the latter had made defamatory remarks. In the lawsuit,
Trump’s lawyer said, “In fact, the jury specifically determined that Plaintiff did not commit rape and, as shown below,
Defendant George Stephanopoulos was aware of the jury’s finding in this regard yet still falsely stated otherwise.”
