Veteran ABC Anchor Suspended After Trump Comments Spark Outrage
Tensions between former President Donald Trump and major media networks have never been subtle. For years, Trump has targeted news outlets he believes treat him unfairly. One of those outlets, ABC News, has frequently been on the receiving end of his criticism—and, at times, even legal action.
In a media climate already on edge, a single post can spark sweeping consequences. That’s exactly what happened this week.
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ABC News has suspended longtime anchor Terry Moran following a controversial tweet in which he called both Trump and his former Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller “world-class haters.”
The now-deleted tweet was posted on Saturday, June 7. In it, Moran wrote:
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.
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ABC News swiftly responded. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, a network spokesperson said:
ABC News stands for objectivity and impartiality in its news coverage and does not condone subjective personal attacks on others. The post does not reflect the views of ABC News and violated our standards — as a result, Terry Moran has been suspended pending further evaluation.
Moran’s tweet followed Trump’s announcement that he would be deploying 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles to crack down on protests against ICE raids. California Governor Gavin Newsom quickly condemned the decision and threatened legal action, accusing Trump of escalating tensions.
Moran’s reaction to the development came across as highly personal, setting off the chain of events that led to his suspension.
The strained relationship between Trump and ABC is hardly new. During the 2024 presidential debates, Trump openly accused moderators Linsey Davis and David Muir of unfair treatment, criticizing them for fact-checking his statements in real-time. He also publicly called on Disney CEO Bob Iger to “fire everybody” at ABC.
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Earlier this year, George Stephanopoulos, another high-profile ABC figure, sparked his own controversy by saying Trump had been found “liable for rape” in an interview. Trump was legally found liable for sexual abuse, not rape, under New York law. The network ended up settling a lawsuit over the comment for a reported $16 million, yet chose to renew Stephanopoulos’s contract afterward.
This complicated balancing act reflects a broader challenge faced by Disney, ABC’s parent company. Bob Iger has reportedly been walking a fine line between maintaining ABC’s editorial independence and protecting the company from further political and legal fallout.
Reports have even surfaced suggesting Iger told hosts of The View to dial down their criticism of Trump to avoid further backlash.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under Trump has not remained passive. Chairman Brendan Carr has launched multiple investigations into ABC and has even gone so far as to threaten the network’s broadcast license.
Despite previous support from the network, Moran may have gone a step too far this time. While ABC renewed Stephanopoulos’s contract after legal fallout, they appear less inclined to defend a tweet that comes off as a personal attack, especially at such a politically sensitive time.
Moran has had a long and varied career with ABC News. He began as Chief White House Correspondent in 1999 and held the role until 2005. He then served as a co-anchor for Nightline until 2013, after which he became Chief Foreign Correspondent. Since 2018, he has worked as ABC’s Senior National Correspondent.
This incident also follows a tense sit-down interview between Trump and Moran in April. At one point during that conversation, Moran asked the former President what the Declaration of Independence meant to him. Trump responded by saying it represented “unity and love and respect,” a comment that visibly caught Moran off guard. Trump’s response drew criticism online, with many arguing that the Declaration was meant to affirm rebellion, not unity.
Later in the same interview, the two clashed over the case of Kimlar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongly imprisoned in El Salvador. Trump asserted that Garcia was affiliated with MS-13, even providing a photo he claimed was evidence. When Moran pointed out the image had been doctored, Trump refused to acknowledge it, instead telling Moran he was getting the “big break of a lifetime” — apparently unaware of the journalist’s decades-long tenure in the industry.
Do you think ABC was justified in suspending Terry Moran for his tweet? Should journalists be held to a stricter standard on social media, or does this infringe on free expression? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Terry moran should be fired fo using his public platforn to spew hatred and anti American comments against our President.
So free speech is only allowed if you are agreeing with the current administration? So it was okay to bash Biden, but it’s not okay to bash the current administration? Double standard maybe? If that is the thinking, then a lot of people need to go back and read some true, factual history books, like fast!
What happened to free speech??
Terry Moran should NOT be fired!!!
He should NOT be fired. He spoke the truth but because it doesn’t align with the beliefs of the current regime he is being vilified. Free speech should be just that….. FREE SPEECH!
He should not be fired! It’s okay for Republicans to call people names, etc. but not okay for anyone to do it to them. Shame on them.
He should not be suspended OR fired!!!! FREEDOM OF SPEECH is our constitutional right. I’m very ashamed of ABC for doing this to him.
I think it’s good to see that ABC is doing something other about someone who is an activist and not a journalist. And what do you know, you don’t have to fire him? Because yeah, ABC can keep all the crazy people just like the other ones that made the comments. I didn’t believe in free speech and yes, they should be able to yeah. You say what they want to, but the problem has been over the years with Biden and the other Democrats is all the stealing of the money. And everything the doge found I would rather have the money back and then they can just run their mouth all they want.To fire bob auger, this is summer with specials savings on big part tickets, and now even moreI think it’s good to see that ABC is doing something other about someone who is an activist and not a journalist. And what do you know, you don’t have to fire him? Because yeah, ABC can keep all the crazy people just like the other ones that made the comments. I didn’t believe in free speech and yes, they should be able to yeah. You say what they want to, but the problem has been over the years with Biden and the other Democrats is all the stealing of the money. And everything the Doge found I would rather have the money back and then they can just run their mouth all they want. Fire bob iger.