Former President Donald Trump secured a court victory when a Florida federal court denied ABC’s attempt to dismiss his defamation lawsuit. Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, sued George Stephanopoulos, an anchor for Good Morning America, over comments made in a March 2024 broadcast.

Stephanopoulos alleged that Trump was “found liable for rape” in the E. Jean Carroll case. However, Trump was actually found liable for sexual abuse and ordered to pay $5 million in damages. The statements were made during an interview with Congresswoman Nancy Mace on “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.

“US District Judge Cecilia Altonaga ruled that Stephanopoulos’s statements could be seen as defamatory, allowing the case to proceed. The court’s decision means the lawsuit will now enter the discovery phase, moving it closer to a potential trial.

Trump responded to the decision on Truth Social, hailing it as a significant win and condemning the media’s portrayal of him. This court ruling follows another recent victory for Trump, where the Supreme Court ruled in his favor regarding his immunity from certain legal actions while in office.