ABC News has now reportedly parted ways with veteran correspondent Terry Moran after he published a sharply worded social media post on X, formerly Twitter, describing President Trump and his adviser Stephen Miller as “world-class haters.”
The network, citing a violation of its standards of objectivity and professionalism, decided not to renew Moran’s contract following an internal review.
Mr. Moran—who joined ABC in 1997, held high-profile assignments including co-anchoring Nightline, and served as a senior national correspondent—issued critical remarks late Sunday.
He accused Mr. Miller of being “richly endowed with the capacity for hatred” and stated that hatred, for both Mr. Miller and Mr. Trump, had become “spiritual nourishment.” The post was later deleted.
The broadcast network acted swiftly. Within 48 hours, Mr. Moran was suspended pending evaluation, and on Tuesday, ABC officially confirmed the end of his tenure, citing the policy breach and the upcoming contract expiration.
A spokesperson emphasized ABC’s commitment to impartial journalism and noted that the post did not represent the network’s values.
Reactions to the decision were swift and polarized. Inside ABC, staff members pressed for accountability, warning the episode risked reinforcing the narrative of liberal bias—a sensitive concern as the network continues its efforts to rebuild credibility after a costly $15 million settlement over a defamation claim involving another anchor.
Many described Moran’s remarks as “unhinged” and damaging at a time when trust in the media remains fragile.
On the political front, the White House Press Secretary labeled the comments “unacceptable and unhinged,” while Vice President J.D. Vance denounced them as a “vile smear.”
Both demanded that ABC take firm action. Conservative media seized on the controversy, accusing ABC of bias and using Moran’s dismissal to validate long-held critiques against mainstream outlets.
Moran, who recently conducted a rare Oval Office interview with Mr. Trump, had built a reputation for probing political coverage.
But his social media attack, critics say, crossed a line. “He eats his hate,” was the phrase that drew the most attention, echoing concerns within journalism circles about maintaining public trust through neutrality.
This incident highlights the fine line journalists walk in an era of intense polarization. While many assert that reporters should not shy away from expressing moral judgments, news organizations such as ABC emphasize the necessity of balancing that freedom with professional detachment.
While Mr. Moran’s future path remains unclear, his departure is expected to open a broader discussion at ABC about the limits of on-platform commentary by its journalists.
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