George Stephanopoulos: ABC News Anchor in the Spotlight After JD Vance Interview

ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos made headlines on October 13, 2025, when he abruptly ended a live interview with Vice President JD Vance on "This Week" after Vance refused to answer questions about border czar Tom Homan. The tense exchange has sparked national conversation about journalism, political interviews, and the role of the press in holding leaders accountable. But who exactly is George Stephanopoulos, and why has this particular interview generated so much buzz?

Table of Contents

• The JD Vance Interview That Went Viral
• Who Is George Stephanopoulos?
• From Clinton White House to ABC News
• His Current Roles at ABC News
• Notable Controversies and Challenges
• Personal Life and Family
• Frequently Asked Questions

The JD Vance Interview That Went Viral

On Sunday, October 12, 2025, George Stephanopoulos's interview with Vice President JD Vance on "This Week" took an unexpected turn. The veteran journalist pressed Vance about allegations that Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, was recorded on an FBI surveillance tape accepting $50,000 in cash in September 2024.

When Vance repeatedly avoided answering whether Homan kept the money, instead accusing Stephanopoulos of losing credibility and focusing on a "bogus story," the anchor took decisive action. "I didn't insinuate anything. I asked you whether Tom Homan accepted $50,000, as was heard on an audiotape recorded by the FBI in September 2024, and you did not answer the question," Stephanopoulos stated firmly before cutting to commercial.

The interview drew more than 237,000 reactions on social media within hours, with viewers divided over whether Stephanopoulos acted appropriately or showed bias. Vance later posted on X (formerly Twitter): "Peace in the Middle East? China threatening critical supply chains? Government shutdown? George S doesn't care about that. He's here to focus on the real story: a fake scandal involving Tom Homan."

Who Is George Stephanopoulos?

Early Life and Education

George Robert Stephanopoulos was born on February 10, 1961, in Fall River, Massachusetts, to Greek-American parents. His father was a Greek Orthodox priest and dean emeritus of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City, while his mother served as the director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America National News Service.

Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, Stephanopoulos graduated from Orange High School in Pepper Pike in 1978. He went on to attend Columbia University, where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1982. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa his junior year and served as his class salutatorian.

As a Rhodes Scholar, Stephanopoulos attended Balliol College at the University of Oxford in England, earning a Master of Arts in Theology in 1984. This unique educational background—combining political science with theological studies—would later inform his analytical approach to political journalism.

From Clinton White House to ABC News

Political Career in the Clinton Administration

Before becoming one of America's most recognizable journalists, George Stephanopoulos was deeply entrenched in Democratic politics. He worked as an aide to Congressman Ed Feighan of Ohio and participated in Michael Dukakis's 1988 presidential campaign.

His breakthrough came during Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign, where he served as a leading communications strategist alongside James Carville. His role was prominently featured in the acclaimed documentary The War Room (1993).

Following Clinton's victory, Stephanopoulos became White House Communications Director from January to June 1993, then served as Senior Advisor to the President from 1993 to 1996. At just 32 years old, he was considered part of Clinton's inner circle, earning a reported salary of $125,000 per year.

Transition to Journalism

After leaving the White House in December 1996, Stephanopoulos published his memoir, All Too Human: A Political Education (1999), which became a New York Times bestseller for five weeks. In the book, he candidly discussed his struggles with depression and the intense pressures of White House life.

In 1997, he joined ABC News as a political analyst, marking his transition from political operative to journalist—a move that would occasionally raise questions about potential bias throughout his career.

His Current Roles at ABC News

Good Morning America Co-Anchor

Since December 14, 2009, George Stephanopoulos has served as co-anchor of "Good Morning America" alongside Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan. The morning show consistently ranks among the top-rated programs in its time slot, reaching millions of Americans each weekday.

This Week Host

Stephanopoulos has hosted "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" since September 2002, with a brief hiatus from 2010 to 2011. The Sunday morning political talk show features interviews with newsmakers, cabinet members, and political leaders, along with roundtable discussions analyzing the week's biggest stories.

ABC News officially named him "Chief Washington Correspondent" in December 2005. From 2014 to 2020, he also served as ABC News' Chief Anchor. In 2021, he signed a contract extension with ABC reportedly worth $105 million, cementing his status as one of the network's most valuable assets.

Notable Controversies and Challenges

Clinton Foundation Donations Scandal (2015)

In May 2015, Stephanopoulos faced significant backlash when it was revealed that he had donated $75,000 to the Clinton Foundation between 2012 and 2014 without disclosing it to ABC News or his viewers. The controversy intensified because he had recently interviewed Peter Schweizer, author of Clinton Cash, a book critical of the Foundation, without mentioning his own donations.

Stephanopoulos apologized publicly, calling it "an honest mistake," and agreed to recuse himself from moderating any 2016 Republican presidential debates. The incident raised questions about journalistic ethics and potential conflicts of interest.

Donald Trump Defamation Lawsuit (2024)

On March 19, 2024, former President Donald Trump filed a defamation lawsuit against Stephanopoulos and ABC News over a March 10 interview on "This Week." Trump argued that Stephanopoulos harmed his reputation by stating he was found liable for "raping" writer E. Jean Carroll, when the jury verdict technically found him liable for "sexual abuse" under New York law's definition.

On December 14, 2024, ABC News and Stephanopoulos settled the lawsuit, agreeing to pay $15 million to Trump's presidential library as a charitable contribution, $1 million for Trump's legal fees, and issuing a public apology for the "repeatedly made false statements."

Jeffrey Epstein Association

In 2010, Stephanopoulos attended a dinner party at the home of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, alongside other prominent figures including Woody Allen, Katie Couric, and Prince Andrew. Following Epstein's 2019 arrest, the guest list received scrutiny, prompting Stephanopoulos to state: "That dinner was the first and last time I've seen him. I should have done more due diligence. It was a mistake to go."

Personal Life and Family

George Stephanopoulos married actress and comedian Ali Wentworth in 2001. The couple has two daughters: Elliott Anastasia Stephanopoulos and Harper Andrea Stephanopoulos. Despite his demanding career, Stephanopoulos has maintained that family remains his priority.

A devout Greek Orthodox Christian, Stephanopoulos holds a master's degree in theology and has spoken about how his faith informs his worldview. At 64 years old (as of 2025), he continues to be one of the most influential voices in American political journalism.

Height and Public Persona

Standing at approximately 5'5" (165 cm), Stephanopoulos has occasionally faced commentary about his height, but has never let it define his commanding presence in interviews or on-air. His sharp questioning style and ability to hold powerful figures accountable have earned him both admirers and critics across the political spectrum.

Frequently Asked Questions