In a sudden turn of events, ABC News has parted ways with Terry Moran, a veteran reporter who had been with the network for nearly three decades. The fallout stems from a tweet that sent shockwaves through the media world, sparking debates about objectivity, bias, and the line between personal opinion and professional conduct.
The controversy began on June 8, when Moran posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) that sharply criticized former President Donald Trump and his Deputy Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller.
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In the since-deleted tweet, Moran called the two men “world-class haters,” adding that Miller’s “spiritual nourishment” was rooted in hate, while Trump’s “spiritual nourishment” was his own glorification. This blunt statement, which did not mince words, quickly became the center of a media storm.
ABC News, a network that has long prided itself on its commitment to unbiased journalism, wasted no time responding. Quickly after the deleted tweet went viral, ABC announced that Moran had been suspended.
Now, just two days later, the network issued a statement confirming that his contract would not be renewed. ABC said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly:
“We are at the end of our agreement with Terry Moran and based on his recent post — which was a clear violation of ABC News policies — we have made the decision to not renew.”
“At ABC News, we hold all of our reporters to the highest standards of objectivity, fairness and professionalism, and we remain committed to delivering straightforward, trusted journalism,” the statement continued.
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While the tweet in question was deleted quickly, the damage was done. Moran was suspended from his duties shortly after the post, and just days later, ABC News announced the end of their long-standing professional relationship. Moran, who had been with the network since 1998, was known for his tenure as White House Chief Correspondent and his sharp reporting skills.
Despite his firing, Moran has expressed his intention to continue his career in journalism. Shortly after news of his termination broke, he made it clear that he would be moving on to Substack, a platform that allows journalists and content creators to publish independently.
I was a reporter and anchor for ABC News. And as you may have heard … I’m not there anymore.
Now I’m on Substack, that amazing space, and I can’t wait to get into the important work that we all have to do.
I was a reporter and anchor for ABC News. And as you may have heard … I’m not there anymore.
Now I’m on Substack, that amazing space, and I can’t wait to get into the important work that we all have to do. pic.twitter.com/4grrPmODtF
— Terry Moran 🇺🇸 (@TerryMoran) June 11, 2025
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While Moran’s future appears uncertain, his departure from ABC News raises larger questions about the role of social media in shaping journalists’ careers. For a long time, Moran had been a trusted voice at the network, and his sudden departure has left many wondering whether ABC’s decision was more about adhering to corporate standards or about silencing voices that challenge the status quo.
This controversy isn’t the first time ABC has been involved in a high-profile dispute with Trump. Last year, the network faced backlash after George Stephanopoulos made a controversial remark about Trump, which led to a $16 million settlement.
Despite the storm, Stephanopoulos’ position at ABC was never threatened. In fact, his contract was renewed without incident. This disparity in how the network handles criticism of Trump has drawn questions from many media observers about consistency in their enforcement of journalistic standards.
As for Moran, he seems determined to continue his career, but the future remains uncertain. His decision to move to Substack has generated significant attention, with many speculating about what his next steps will entail. Whether his new platform will allow him the freedom he desires, or put him at odds with the same issues that led to his firing remains to be seen.
What do you think about ABC’s decision to part ways with Terry Moran? Was it the right move, or should they have handled the situation differently? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
“At ABC News, we hold all of our reporters to the highest standards of objectivity, fairness and professionalism, and we remain committed to delivering straightforward, trusted journalism,” the statement continued….
Queue “The View”, then tell me the quote again.
His personal tweets should be free speech. If the news can’t speak up against the empowered then we are lost. Bad move on abc for firing him. We are doomed