Trump Allies Urge Lawsuit Against Illinois Governor Over 'Rapist' Remark

Calls for legal action follow a $15 million defamation settlement between Trump and ABC News over similar allegations.

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and Trump adviser Roger Stone have urged President-elect Donald Trump to sue Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker for calling him an 'adjudicated rapist.'
The calls come after Trump settled a defamation lawsuit with ABC News, which paid $15 million and issued an apology for inaccurately stating that a jury found Trump liable for rape.
Pritzker has repeatedly referred to Trump as an 'adjudicated rapist,' citing a civil case verdict where Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation against writer E. Jean Carroll.
Blagojevich, pardoned by Trump in 2020, suggested Pritzker could face legal and professional consequences, including the potential loss of his law license, for his statements.
Trump has not commented on the possibility of suing Pritzker but has recently pursued other legal actions against critics, including a lawsuit against an Iowa pollster and newspaper for alleged 'election interference.'