Major Controversies Surrounding George Stephanopoulos: A Detailed Timeline
Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to George Stephanopoulos.
George Stephanopoulos is an American television host, political commentator, and former Democratic advisor. He co-anchors Good Morning America and hosts This Week, ABC's Sunday morning current events news program. He is known for his prominent role in political broadcasting and his earlier career in Democratic politics.
February 25, 1994: Conference Call on Madison Guaranty Investigation
On February 25, 1994, Stephanopoulos and Harold Ickes held a conference call with Roger Altman to discuss the Resolution Trust Corporation's choice of Republican lawyer Jay Stephens to head the Madison Guaranty investigation, later linked to the Whitewater controversy.
1994: Report on Commercial Real Estate Deal
In 1994, Jack Anderson reported that Stephanopoulos signed an $835,000 commercial real estate deal with a below-market loan rate from a bank owned by Hugh McColl, raising questions of potential favoritism.
1994: Effort to Discredit Paula Jones
In 1994, Stephanopoulos and James Carville attempted to discredit Paula Jones's allegations against Bill Clinton, suggesting she sought money and working to prevent her news conference from being televised.
1995: Arrest for traffic incident
In 1995, Stephanopoulos was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident and driving with an expired license and license plates after a collision with a parked vehicle in Georgetown, D.C. The charge of leaving the scene was later dropped.
1999: Defamation Lawsuit by Gennifer Flowers
In 1999, Stephanopoulos was sued for defamation by Gennifer Flowers over comments about her affair allegations with Bill Clinton, which he dismissed as "tabloid trash." The suit was dismissed.
April 16, 2008: Co-Moderation of Democratic Presidential Debate
On April 16, 2008, Stephanopoulos co-moderated the Democratic Party presidential debate between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, receiving criticism for focusing on campaign controversies.
2010: Attendance at Jeffrey Epstein's Dinner Party
In 2010, Stephanopoulos attended a dinner party at the home of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
2012: Donation to Clinton Foundation
In 2012, Stephanopoulos donated $25,000 to the Clinton Foundation, one of three such donations.
2013: Donation to Clinton Foundation
In 2013, Stephanopoulos donated $25,000 to the Clinton Foundation, one of three such donations.
2014: Donation to Clinton Foundation
In 2014, Stephanopoulos donated $25,000 to the Clinton Foundation, one of three such donations.
April 26, 2015: Interview with Peter Schweizer
On April 26, 2015, Stephanopoulos interviewed Peter Schweizer, author of 'Clinton Cash', without disclosing his own donations to the Clinton Foundation.
February 2016: Withdrawal from Republican Debate Moderation
In February 2016, Stephanopoulos withdrew from moderating a Republican presidential primary debate due to concerns over bias and conflict of interest stemming from donations to the Clinton Foundation.
July 2019: Backlash Following Epstein's Arrest
Following Jeffrey Epstein's arrest in July 2019, the guest list of a 2010 dinner party Stephanopoulos attended was reported online, leading to backlash.
March 19, 2024: Defamation Lawsuit Filed by Donald Trump
On March 19, 2024, Donald Trump filed a defamation lawsuit in Florida against ABC News and Stephanopoulos over comments made on a March 10 airing of This Week, related to the E. Jean Carroll case.
July 2024: Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss
In July 2024, Judge Cecilia Altonaga, presiding over the suit brought by Trump, denied a motion to dismiss by Stephanopoulos, finding that the technical definition used by the judge in the New York case did not examine the findings made by the jury, which was "sexual abuse", not "rape".
December 14, 2024: Defamation Lawsuit Settled
On December 14, 2024, George Stephanopoulos and ABC News settled the defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump, agreeing to pay $15 million to Trump's presidential library, $1 million for Trump's legal fees, and issuing a public apology for false statements made during a March 10 interview.
