ABC inks new deal with George Stephanopoulos as anchor cost network millions in Trump defamation suit

ABC News has inked a new deal with his longtime anchor George Stephanopoulos as he cost the network millions in its lawsuit settlement with President-elect Donald Trump, according to reports. 

Stephanpoulos, who reportedly made up to $18 million per year in his previous contract, was at the center of a defamation suit that was settled with Trump last week, but reports say the timing between the settlement and his new contract were coincidental. 

ABC News did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.