Shockwaves at ABC: ‘Good Morning America’ Faces Unprecedented Layoff Surge
ABC has long been a pillar of broadcast television. With popular programs like World News Tonight, 20/20, Good Morning America, and Nightline, it has been one of the most trusted networks for news across America. However, the past few months have been anything but smooth sailing for the network, with challenges mounting as ABC faces increased competition from CBS, NBC, and other media outlets.
And now, the network is dealing with its biggest shakeup in recent memory, one that has left many employees in disbelief.
Related: Fired ABC News Anchor Reportedly Having “Second Thoughts” After Making Huge Move
ABC’s Decline and Trump’s Criticism
ABC’s struggles began to intensify when it became a target of criticism by former President Donald Trump. Known for his harsh remarks, Trump openly criticized ABC and even called for the firing of all employees at the network, urging Disney CEO Bob Iger to make drastic changes.
Despite Trump’s vocal attacks, Iger largely ignored the former president’s demands, but in a surprising move, ABC News has now faced a significant internal restructuring — one that has sent shockwaves through its ranks.
Related: Trump Administration Sets Sights on Bob Iger in First Strategic Moves
Massive Layoffs Hit ABC
According to recent reports, Disney, which owns ABC, has decided to lay off approximately 200 employees from ABC News. This move, which amounts to roughly six percent of the network’s total staff, has shocked both employees and the public alike.
The layoffs have left many wondering whether the network is beginning to buckle under the pressure from its competitors, or if it’s trying to streamline its operations in an increasingly tough media landscape.
Among the casualties of these layoffs were some key figures within ABC’s news division, including producers, senior staff members, and executives. Good Morning America, one of ABC’s flagship shows, was particularly affected.
The network announced that the team responsible for producing GMA3: What You Need to Know, the third hour of the morning program, would be consolidated, and executive producer Catherine McKenzie was among those let go.
The Aftermath: Staff Reactions and ‘Massacre’ Comparisons
The immediate aftermath of the layoffs has been one of confusion, shock, and distress. Many employees were caught off guard by the suddenness of the cuts, which left them grappling with uncertainty about the future of their careers.
Related: Behind the Scenes: Disney/ABC Struggle to Save ‘Good Morning America’ as Star Plans to Leave
As one ABC staff member put it, the layoffs were reminiscent of a “massacre,” describing the atmosphere at the network as grim and full of anxiety. In an interview with The New York Post, the employee explained:
ABC News staffers described a grim atmosphere in the wake of the mass layoffs, with one employee telling Status that the cuts were akin to “a massacre.”
A ‘Squid Game’-Like Atmosphere
In an even more jarring comparison, some ABC News staffers likened their workplace environment to the Netflix hit Squid Game, a dystopian drama where participants compete in deadly games for a cash prize.
Related: Beloved ‘Good Morning America’ Anchor Reveals New Cancer Battle
Per sources who spoke to The New York Post:
The uncertainty and pressure of working in network television were compared to “Squid Game,” with an employee remarking, “You just feel like you’ve made it to level seven of ‘Squid Games’ at this point if you’ve survived.”
The employee added: “I don’t know if you have watched ‘Squid Game,’ but they put you in teams and they pit you against each other. And then they just watch and it’s brutal. And then even the people who win the prize in the end … they’re so unhappy. That is literally network TV.”
More High-Profile Departures
The layoffs also resulted in the departure of high-profile figures, including Cindy Galli and Zach Toback. Galli, one of ABC’s executive producers for the investigative team, had focused on high-stakes topics like government fraud and corporate corruption. Meanwhile, Toback was a vice president in charge of news and nonfiction production.
ABC’s Leadership Crisis
The turmoil at ABC is compounded by the ongoing leadership crisis within ABC News. Almin Karamehmedovic, who took over as president after Kim Godwin’s surprising exit in May 2024, has been reportedly cold and detached throughout the layoffs.
Sources close to the situation say that Karamehmedovic appeared to be reading from a script when addressing staff about the cuts, refusing to answer questions and quickly ending calls. This lack of transparency has only added to the feeling of disarray at the network.
The Future of ‘Good Morning America’
As if the layoffs weren’t enough, ABC is now faced with the looming departure of Good Morning America co-anchor Michael Strahan. Reports indicate that Strahan’s contract is up later this year, and ABC is scrambling to find a suitable replacement.
These developments mark a turning point for ABC and Good Morning America, both of which are iconic parts of American broadcast television. While it remains to be seen how the network will recover from these changes, one thing is certain: ABC’s future in the media landscape is looking uncertain, and its once-unquestioned dominance in the industry now seems fragile.
Do you think the layoffs are necessary for the survival of ABC, or are they doing more harm than good? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
