Exclusive | Disney renews George Stephanopoulos contract with pay cut despite $16M Trump settlement because it didnt want his blood on their hands: source
Disney decided to renew ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos’ contract — despite having to fork over a $16 million legal settlement — because they didn’t want “his blood on their hands,” The Post has learned.Stephanopoulos, who hosts “This Week” and is a co-anchor on “Good Morning America,” was handed a multi-year deal — though he took a pay cut from his lofty $20 million annual salary, sources said.“No one wants a talent mess on their hands,” one longtime network executive told The Post.“No one wants an angry George Stephanopoulos loose in the world.
No one wants to humiliate George by firing him or to have his blood on their hands.”The well-connected former Democratic operative had been in talks with ABC News-parent Disney, which is in cost-cutting mode, before the company’s shocking decision Saturday to settle with President-elect Donald Trump, according to Deadline.The Mouse House confirmed the extension Wednesday.“George is well-liked by the liberal-elite in Hollywood and The Hamptons.
He’s friends with Jerry Seinfeld, Michael J Fox and Netflix boss Ted Sarandos,” the source said, adding that he operates in the same “bubble” as left-leaning Disney top brass.“George has carefully cultivated a relationship with [Disney CEO] Bob Iger and board members.He remains a respected member of the Disney family.” But inside the halls of ABC News, staffers remain “livid” over Iger’s decision to stand by Stephanopoulos and cave to Trump.“They paid off Trump for a mistake that George made.
How many jobs could that $16 million have saved?” said a second network source, citing a fresh round of layoffs at the network.“I think people are angry at the humiliation of the settlement with Trump.
People are angry with George’s unforced errors and his defiance and that he’s rewarded for his mistakes with another lucrative contract even if his salary has been cut,” the first source said.The source said that even if the...