Trump Vows More Media Lawsuits as ABC Settles Case for $15 Million

At a Mar-a-Lago news conference yesterday, Donald Trump said he’d “take a couple of questions,” but went on to speak for nearly an hour.

During the wide-ranging session, Trump made news on numerous topics, underscoring his freewheeling style that continues to generate nonstop headlines. Even critics in the press, many of whom oppose him, have to grapple with his ability to dominate the news cycle—a sharp contrast to the more reclusive President Joe Biden.

Trump fielded questions but deflected on sensitive matters, including strategy on Ukraine and potential retaliation against Iran.

This appearance came two days after ABC and George Stephanopoulos settled a defamation lawsuit brought by Trump. The network agreed to pay $15 million to a presidential library or foundation and cover an additional $1 million in Trump’s legal fees, sidestepping a potential deposition for Stephanopoulos.

The issue stemmed from Stephanopoulos repeatedly stating that Trump had been found liable for “rape” in the E. Jean Carroll civil suit. The jury, however, found Trump liable for “sexual abuse,” a legally distinct term in New York, despite the judge’s comment that it could commonly be understood as rape. The settlement strongly suggests ABC felt its case was weak.

While left-leaning pundits criticized ABC for “caving” to Trump, the network evidently decided the risks were too high.

At the news conference, Trump seized on the moment to rip the media, calling it “very corrupt” and outlining a string of lawsuits—filed or forthcoming—against various outlets.

Trump announced plans to sue the Des Moines Register over a poll predicting he’d lose the Iowa caucuses by four points. “Ann Selzer is a great pollster,” Trump said, referencing the respected pollster who conducted the survey. “But she had me losing, and I won by 13 points.”

He also reiterated plans to sue 60 Minutes, claiming the CBS program altered an interview answer, which many journalists, including critics of Trump, agreed was a significant misstep.

“We have to straighten out the press,” Trump said. “The press is very corrupt. Almost as corrupt as our elections.” He went on, “I’m doing this not because I want to. I’m doing this because I feel I have an obligation. In my opinion, it was fraud, and it was election interference.”

Additionally, Trump referenced potential legal action against Bob Woodward over audiotapes released from a book project, though Woodward insists he had no agreement barring their public use. Trump also criticized the Pulitzer Prize board for awarding the Washington Post and New York Times for coverage of what he calls the “Russia hoax,” though the board maintains Trump failed to identify factual errors in the awarded reporting.

In classic Trump style, the topics didn’t stop there.

On New York City Mayor Eric Adams, currently under investigation, Trump said he’d consider a pardon because Adams had been treated “very unfairly.”

Trump weighed in on the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, condemning sympathy for the suspect: “It was cold-blooded. Just a cold-blooded, horrible killing, and how people can like this guy—that’s a sickness, actually.”

He also praised Lara Trump but said appointing her to fill Florida’s vacant Senate seat was ultimately Governor Ron DeSantis’ decision. Reports suggest, however, that Trump has lobbied for her selection.

The former president defended his DOD nominee, Pete Hegseth, saying the intent was to “improve the military.” He highlighted Hegseth’s attendance at the recent Army-Navy game, where Trump appeared alongside JD Vance, Ron DeSantis, Elon Musk, Speaker Mike Johnson, and Tulsi Gabbard.

Trump was also asked about vaccines, pledging support for the polio vaccine while indicating he’d speak with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about other vaccines. Trump briefly touched on RFK Jr.’s long-debunked claim that vaccines cause autism but noted concerns over increasing autism diagnoses in boys: “I think he’s going to be much less radical than you would think.”

Trump called on the Biden administration to address the “mystery drones” issue, asserting, “They obviously know what’s happening.”

All told, it was vintage Trump—a relentless flurry of commentary, critiques, and headline-grabbing statements, serving as a stark reminder of his ability to command attention. As he re-enters the national spotlight, Americans may be in for a refresher course on Trump’s knack for dominating the conversation.