ABC News parts ways with Terry Moran after his controversial attack on Trump advisor Stephen Miller, exposing the media’s ongoing struggle with leftist bias masquerading as journalism.
Key Takeaways
- Terry Moran was terminated from ABC News following his social media post calling Trump official Stephen Miller a “world class hater”
- This incident occurred as ABC News was already dealing with a recent $15 million settlement with Trump over comments made by George Stephanopoulos
- Moran’s contract, which had been in place since 1997, was not renewed after the violation of company policies
- The Trump administration quickly condemned Moran’s comments, with a Trump aide noting that critics of the president and his staff “get hit”
- ABC News emphasized its commitment to objectivity and professionalism, highlighting the growing tension between journalists’ personal views and professional responsibilities
Veteran Journalist Ousted After Anti-Trump Social Media Tirade
Terry Moran, a longtime fixture at ABC News since 1997, has been let go from the network following a suspension for his inflammatory social media post attacking Trump administration official Stephen Miller. Moran, who once served as co-anchor of “Nightline,” called Miller a “world class hater” who is “richly endowed with the capacity for hatred” in a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter). The post also included criticism of President Trump himself before being removed early Sunday morning, too late to prevent the damage to Moran’s career.
ABC News confirmed Moran’s departure coincided with the expiration of his contract, which the network decided not to renew following the violation of company policies regarding social media conduct. This termination comes at a particularly sensitive time for ABC News, which recently paid a $15 million settlement to President Trump over comments made by George Stephanopoulos, highlighting the network’s ongoing struggle with maintaining journalistic standards while managing the political leanings of its staff.
Media Accountability Under Trump’s Second Term
The swift consequences for Moran’s anti-Trump rhetoric signal a potential shift in how media organizations will handle politically charged commentary from their journalists during President Trump’s second term. A Trump aide pointedly remarked that critics of the president and his staff “get hit,” suggesting the administration will continue to call out perceived bias in media coverage. This accountability stands in stark contrast to the previous leniency shown to journalists who expressed negative views about conservative figures.
ABC News released a statement emphasizing its “commitment to objectivity, fairness, and professionalism in journalism,” tacitly acknowledging that Moran’s comments crossed the line between personal opinion and professional conduct. The statement underscores the growing recognition within mainstream media organizations that maintaining credibility with conservative audiences requires at least the appearance of impartiality from their reporters and anchors.
The Wider Problem of Media Bias
Moran’s termination is merely a symptom of a much larger problem plaguing American media – the increasing difficulty separating personal political views from objective reporting. For years, conservative viewers have criticized major networks like ABC for allowing liberal biases to seep into their coverage while claiming journalistic neutrality. This incident exposes the reality that many mainstream journalists harbor strong anti-Trump sentiments that inevitably influence their reporting.
The timing of this controversy is particularly revealing, occurring just after ABC News had to pay a significant settlement to President Trump over another instance of biased commentary. This pattern suggests a systemic issue rather than isolated incidents, raising questions about how deeply entrenched anti-conservative sentiment is within major news organizations. Moran’s case serves as a reminder that social media has made it increasingly difficult for journalists to maintain separate public and private personas.
A New Era of Media Accountability
As President Trump begins his second term, this incident may signal a new era of accountability for media organizations that have historically shown bias against conservative figures while claiming objectivity. The swift action taken against Moran, a veteran journalist with decades of experience, demonstrates that even established media figures are not immune to consequences for violating professional standards. For conservative viewers long frustrated with biased coverage, this represents a small but significant step toward more balanced reporting.
Moran has not publicly commented on his departure, maintaining silence since deleting the controversial post. His abrupt exit after 27 years with the network serves as a cautionary tale for other journalists who might be tempted to express personal political views on social media platforms. As the line between journalism and activism continues to blur for many in the mainstream media, the consequences for crossing that line appear to be growing more serious under increased scrutiny.
