Is it a win or just politics? Dive in now. Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against ABC host George Stephanopoulos, alleging that Stephanopoulos falsely claimed Trump was found guilty of rape. Trump’s attorney, Alejandro Brito, asserts that Stephanopoulos exhibited “malice” and “reckless disregard for the truth” in his interview with Congresswoman Nancy Mace.

Stephanopoulos’s statement has sparked a contentious legal debate, with some experts like Fox News contributor Leo Terrell labeling it as a “lie.” Terrell argues, “Notwithstanding the fact that Donald Trump is a public figure and the standard for defamation is much higher, ABC News and George Stephanopoulos cannot find a civil or criminal verdict for Donald Trump for rape.”

“In my legal opinion, Donald Trump has a slam dunk case for defamation against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos,” explained Terrell. “If you notice, the other left-wing networks are now very, very careful not to use the phrase ‘liable for rape.’ I’m sure their corporate attorneys advised them not to do so.”

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew McCarthy holds a different opinion, stating, “It might be a good move for Trump politically, particularly in that it highlights the hypocrisy of Stephanopoulos, who was a part of President Clinton’s ‘bimbo eruptions’ project in the 1990s. But legally, Trump’s defamation suit would be a dud.”

“The jury in the first E. Jean Carroll trial did not find that Trump did not commit rape. Rather, the jurors found that there was insufficient evidence to conclude that rape occurred, but found that Trump did commit sexual abuse,” McCarthy continued. “Moreover, Judge Kaplan, in assessing the jury’s verdict, reasoned that the jurors must have believed Carroll’s testimony that Trump at least ‘digitally’ penetrated her. Although that does not fit the narrow N.Y. statutory definition of rape, Kaplan elaborated that it does fit the common understanding of rape.”

An ABC News spokesperson said to Fox News regarding the Mace interview before the lawsuit was filed that, “George did his job by asking meaningful questions that are relevant to our viewers.” As the legal battle unfolds, the spotlight remains on the intersection of media, politics, and the law.