Well, that escalated quickly. In the ever-entertaining circus we call corporate media, George Stephanopoulos just reminded everyone why trust in the news is somewhere between “used car salesman” and “gas station sushi.” Over the weekend, the ABC anchor tried to corner Vice President JD Vance in an interview that had all the charm of a root canal—if the dentist were screaming about FBI tapes and imaginary bribes.
Let’s set the stage. President Trump, during a joint appearance with Argentine President Javier Milei (who, by the way, makes most world leaders look like sleepy accountants), took a break from global diplomacy to deliver a gut punch to ABC News and its resident political attack dog, George Stephanopoulos. Trump didn’t mince words—because why start now? He called out Stephanopoulos as “very nasty” and mockingly referred to him as “George Slopadopoulos,” which, let’s be honest, is a more accurate reflection of the man’s approach to journalism these days.
But Trump wasn’t just throwing shade for fun. He brought receipts, reminding the press gallery that ABC had to cough up a cool $16 million over a previous defamation debacle. As Trump put it, “It was worth it.” Translation: if you’re going to lie about someone, maybe don’t pick the guy with the best lawyers and a grudge like an elephant.
The real fireworks came in defense of JD Vance, who had just endured a five-minute ambush disguised as an interview on ABC. Stephanopoulos, rather than asking about, say, the economy, foreign policy, or anything remotely resembling news, decided to go full conspiracy theorist over a so-called bribery tape involving border czar Tom Homan.
Now, to be clear, this alleged “tape” is about as well-sourced as Bigfoot sightings. But that didn’t stop George from badgering the Vice President like a prosecutor on a caffeine binge. Vance, clearly unimpressed, calmly pointed out that Stephanopoulos was latching onto a story thinner than a vegan hot dog. “There’s no evidence of that,” Vance said, which in media terms means: “You’re full of it, George.”
But here’s where it gets good. Instead of taking the L like a grown-up, Stephanopoulos threw a tantrum and abruptly ended the interview. That’s right—the star journalist from a Disney-owned network, tasked with informing the public, ran away the moment he couldn’t trap the Vice President in a gotcha moment. Just imagine if your waiter stormed off because you didn’t like the soup.
Vance, never one to let a media hit piece go unanswered, took to social media and torched the whole spectacle. He pointed out the obvious: while the world burns—China saber-rattling, the Middle East on edge, DC flirting with another government shutdown—ABC News decided the top priority was playing detective over a phantom bribe.
And the cherry on top? Trump declared he won’t be taking any questions from “ABC fake news” going forward. Good call. Why should the President—or anyone, really—waste time with a network more interested in character assassination than actual journalism?
Of course, ABC News hasn’t said a word in response. Probably too busy combing through old voicemails trying to find something else to throw at the wall. Because that’s the new game: don’t report, don’t investigate—just accuse, cut the feed, and hope the clip goes viral.
What we’re watching isn’t journalism. It’s political theater, starring washed-up Clinton operatives pretending to be impartial while fumbling through their own collapse. Stephanopoulos, once a White House spin doctor, has now fully transformed into a hall monitor with a vendetta—except less effective and more annoying.
So here we are in 2025, where the media still hasn’t figured out that screaming louder doesn’t make you right, and cutting off interviews doesn’t make you credible. But at least Trump got his $16 million. That’s one lie that finally paid off—for him, anyway.