In today’s highly polarized media environment, the role of journalism is under more scrutiny than ever. With cable news anchors, political commentators, and reporters all navigating pressure from both corporate owners and the public, the line between personal conviction and professional responsibility can quickly blur.
This tension recently came to a head at ABC News, where a long-serving reporter found himself at the center of a public firestorm after sharing a deeply personal—yet deeply political—opinion.
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The tweet in question was no longer visible within hours, but the damage was already done.
It all started following an exclusive interview between veteran journalist Terry Moran and former President Donald Trump. The interview focused on Trump’s second-term agenda and came during his first 100 days back in office.
While ABC had been under ongoing pressure from Trump and his allies—many of whom have publicly criticized the network for perceived bias—this particular exchange ignited a wave of controversy that the network could not ignore.
Just past midnight on June 8, Moran took to social media to post a blunt assessment of both Trump and his Deputy Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller.
The tweet read:
“The thing about Stephen Miller is not that he is the brains behind Trumpism. Yes, he is one of the people who conceptualizes the impulses of the Trumpist movement and translates them into policy. But that’s not what’s interesting about Miller. It’s not brains. It’s bile. Miller is a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred. He’s a world-class hater. You can see this just by looking at him because you can see that his hatreds are his spiritual nourishment. He eats his hate. Trump is a world-class hater. But his hatred only a means to an end, and that end is his own glorification. That’s his spiritual nourishment.”
Though the post was deleted not long after, its impact had already been felt. Media outlets picked it up immediately, prompting a swift response from ABC News.
The network announced the next day that Moran had been suspended, pending an internal review. Within a week, ABC confirmed his termination. “ABC News stands for objectivity and impartiality,” the network said in a statement. “Mr. Moran’s tweet violated those standards.”
To longtime viewers, this was a stunning conclusion to a decades-long career. Moran had started at ABC News nearly 30 years ago, initially serving as the Chief White House Correspondent before being promoted to Senior National Correspondent in 2018.
He had covered multiple administrations, global crises, and high-stakes political interviews. The sudden exit left fans and fellow journalists questioning how the same network could justify letting him go so quickly.
In a sit-down interview with Tim Miller of The Bulwark, Moran opened up about the controversy and made it clear that he stands by every word.
“You don’t sacrifice your citizenship as a journalist, and your job is not to be objective. There is no Mount Olympus of objectivity where a Mandarin class of wise people have no feelings about their society. We’re all in this together. What you have to be is fair and accurate, and I would refer to the interview with the president that I did, or a lot of my work. And I would also say that this, while very hot, is an observation, a description that was accurate and true.”
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He added:
“I’m old enough to remember and, you know, get practical things done that people need in a decent way, and stand up for what’s right. And that is my politics. So someone like Stephen Miller, in my judgment, and in my observation, which is what reporters do, is degrading all that and is a danger, and that is what was in my heart.”
Moran also admitted that he chose his language deliberately, knowing it would stir strong reactions:
“You see him all the time, spitting venom and lies, degrading our public discourse, debasing it, and using the power of the White House and what he’s been given to grind us down…That is very disturbing to me.”
This wasn’t the first time ABC News had been in hot water over Trump-related commentary. In December 2024, the network had settled a defamation lawsuit after anchor George Stephanopoulos said on air that Trump had been found “liable for rape,” when in fact he had only been found liable for sexual abuse—two distinct legal charges under New York law.
That error resulted in a $15 million settlement to Trump’s presidential fund and an additional $1 million in legal fees. Still, Stephanopoulos was not fired. In fact, his contract was quietly renewed shortly after.
This discrepancy has only added fuel to the argument that ABC’s firing of Moran was inconsistent, if not outright hypocritical.
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Complicating matters further is Trump’s long history of feuding with ABC News and its parent company, Disney. The former president has often accused the network of being dishonest and has even called for Disney CEO Bob Iger to fire its entire news division. Yet, Trump continues to grant interviews to ABC journalists, adding a layer of irony to Moran’s termination.
In response to his dismissal, Moran has since launched a Substack account where he promises to continue covering political issues “without fear or filter.” He has received support from some fellow journalists and fans, who see his firing as part of a broader pattern of media companies silencing critical voices.
Was ABC News justified in firing a long-serving journalist for one tweet? Should networks hold their staff to different standards when under political pressure? And is there still a place in journalism for outspoken voices who refuse to stay neutral in the face of what they believe is injustice? We want to know what you think. Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation.
Disney should rehire Moran immediately. His remarks were not on ABC and he is entitled to freedom of speech as well as freedom of the press. Come on, Iger…stand up for what’s right. Don’t let Trump push you around like a pawn. It’s time for checkmate!
I love that Moran had the courage to be totally honest, and not beat around the bush to keep Trump happy. While ABC shouldn’t have fired him, now that they have I agree, Disney should hire Moran. This is America, where we do have freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and one whiny president shouldn’t put a stop to that as long as it’s true.
Why is Disney Parks people even reporting on this? Time to “unsubscribe”! This is ridiculous!!