Renowned ABC News journalist Terry Moran will not be returning to the network after being suspended for a social media post branding US President Donald Trump and Stephen Miller, the President’s deputy chief of staff, as “world-class haters.”
Moran’s controversy-stirred tweet was swiftly deleted, but not before the network took notice, declaring it a clear breach of their policies. ABC News stated Moran’s contract was ending and decided against renewal due to his recent post.
“Miller is a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred. He’s a world-class hater,” Moran had written on X, directly criticizing Miller as the “brains behind Trumpism.”
Further, he described Trump’s behavior as a “means to an end” aimed at his self-glorification, contrasting this with Miller, whose hatreds Moran argued served as his “spiritual nourishment.”
The Trump administration took swift action against Moran’s comments, with Vice President JD Vance labeling the post as an “absolutely vile smear of Stephen Miller.”
Moran, a veteran of ABC News since 1997 and a former co-anchor of “Nightline,” found himself at the center of controversy, especially given his recent high-profile interview with Trump, where the president had chided Moran for being unkind.
Reactions from supporters of the Trump administration were quick, with Trump aide Steven Cheung posting a succinct retort: “Talk s***, get hit.”
Beyond the controversy, Miller has been at the forefront of the Trump administration’s policy actions, advocating for the deployment of 4,000 National Guard soldiers and a Marine battalion to Los Angeles in response to anti-immigration enforcement protests. He depicted California as a haven for “illegal alien invaders,” suggesting large parts of Los Angeles resemble “failed third world nations.”
ABC News’ decision aligns with the sensitive climate following the network’s agreement to pay $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by Trump. This settlement was over a claim by George Stephanopoulos that Trump was civilly liable for raping writer E Jean Carroll.
Moran’s exit occurs as traditional media, including ABC News, faces challenges in retaining audiences in an era where podcasters and subscription-based newsletters are gaining popularity. The trend has prompted some journalists, like Mehdi Hasan, to launch their media platforms, following the cancellation of his show by MSNBC in late 2023.
