Overview

• At the Mirror Awards in New York, Costas accused major networks of “cowing” to President Trump’s legal challenges instead of defending press freedom in court.
• He singled out ABC News’s $15 million defamation settlement after George Stephanopoulos wrongly described Trump as having been found liable for rape in the E. Jean Carroll case.
• Costas criticized Paramount Global, led by Shari Redstone, for offering a $15 million settlement over a 60 Minutes interview as it pursues FCC approval for its Skydance merger.
• He warned that treating Trump’s unfounded assertions as an equal viewpoint normalizes falsehoods and undermines the media’s watchdog role.
• Costas acknowledged receiving fan backlash for his political remarks and said he wears their criticism as a “badge of honor.”