Stephen Colbert criticizes ABC for settling with Trump.

On Wednesday night, Stephen Colbert of ABC News called the settlement with President-elect Donald Trump "stupid," following his criticism of the president-elect's lawsuit against former Iowa pollster Ann Selzer.

"What is the reason for this foolish occurrence? My speculation is that it is due to the foolish actions of ABC. As evidence, ABC News recently paid $15 million and issued an apology to settle a defamation lawsuit," Colbert stated.

The Trump presidential foundation received a $15 million charitable contribution from ABC News, along with an apology from the president-elect.

"If the president believes he can intimidate the media into always praising him, what else is happening?" Colbert remarked, shifting the conversation.

Trump sued Iowa pollster Ann Selzer and the Des Moines Register after settling with ABC News over an Iowa poll that showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading him by three points in a historically red state.

Colbert joked about Punxatawney Phil needing legal representation if he ever wants to see his shadow again, as the groundhog's prediction being incorrect is now considered interference.

A lawsuit was filed Monday night in Polk County, Iowa, under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act and related provisions. The lawsuit seeks "accountability for brazen election interference committed by" the Des Moines Register (DMR) and Selzer "in favor of now-defeated former Democrat candidate Kamala Harris through use of a leaked and manipulated Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll conducted by Selzer and S&C and published by DMR and Gannett in the Des Moines Register on Nov. 2, 2024."

Selzer's poll was hyped up by the media ahead of the election, as her polling predictions in previous elections have been historically accurate. Trump ended up beating Harris in Iowa by 13 percentage points.

During a recent interview, Selzer defended herself and the poll against criticism, but admitted she was unsure of what she did wrong.

"I'm not here to provide any new information. If you were hoping for a definitive explanation of why things went wrong, I regret to inform you that I haven't found one. Despite the fact that it keeps me awake at night, I've explored everything and have not found anything new to add. The Des Moines Register has made an unprecedented move by publishing our cross tabs, waiting system, and analysis online, but I haven't needed to update it since it was already comprehensive. We're still in the dark. Yes, I wish I knew," she said.

Selzer stated, "I am baffled by the motivation behind anyone thinking I had and acted on in a public poll. I don't comprehend it. The accusations that this was election interference, which is a crime, are taken very seriously by me. The notion that I intentionally set up to deliver this response, despite having ample opportunities to do so, goes against my ethical standards."