Donald Trump files lawsuit against George Stephanopoulos, ABC News after interview with GOP lawmaker

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump has filed another longshot lawsuit against the news media, this time suing ABC News and host George Stephanopoulos for claims that he raped writer E. Jean Carroll.

In an interview on ABC's "This Week" earlier this month, Stephanopoulos asked U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.: “You endorsed Donald Trump for president. Judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape."

The host then asked Mace how she could square her endorsement of Trump with speaking openly about being a survivor of sexual assault.

The South Carolina lawmaker replied: “It was not a criminal court case, number one ... Number two, I live with shame. And you’re asking me a question about my political choices trying to shame me as a rape victim.”

A jury in one of two defamation cases brought by Carroll found Trump liable for "sexual abuse" last year, but rejected the allegation of "rape."

A judge, however, said in dismissing a countersuit that the evidence and the jury's findings established "the substantial truth" of Carroll's rape allegations.

Trump has been assessed damages of nearly $90 million in the two Carroll trials, which have centered around comments he has made publicly responding to the columnist's claims.

Trump has a history of filing lawsuits against the media that go nowhere. In one instance, a judge ordered Trump to pay more than $392,000 in legal fees to The New York Times over a frivolous lawsuit.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump files lawsuit against George Stephanopoulos, ABC News