Top ABC Anchor FIRED After Anti-Trump Rant

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ABC News fired veteran journalist Terry Moran after he unleashed an anti-Trump tirade on social media, calling the President and advisor Stephen Miller “world-class haters,” exposing the deep-seated bias within mainstream media that conservatives have long suspected.

Key Takeaways

  • Terry Moran, a 27-year ABC News veteran, was terminated after posting that Trump and Stephen Miller are “world-class haters,” violating the network’s standards of objectivity
  • Moran now claims journalists shouldn’t strive for objectivity, arguing their role is to be “fair and accurate” while maintaining personal convictions
  • White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called Moran’s comments “unhinged and unacceptable,” pushing for accountability
  • ABC News emphasized its commitment to “objectivity, fairness and professionalism” in explaining their decision not to renew Moran’s contract
  • The incident highlights the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and mainstream media organizations

The Fall of a Veteran Journalist

Terry Moran’s nearly three-decade career at ABC News came to an abrupt end following his controversial social media post attacking President Trump and White House advisor Stephen Miller. Moran, who served as a foreign correspondent, chief White House correspondent, and Nightline anchor during his tenure, specifically targeted Miller in his comments, describing him as someone spiritually nourished by hatred. The post immediately sparked backlash from the White House and conservative circles, leading to swift action from ABC News.

An ABC News spokesperson confirmed the network’s decision, stating: “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.” This statement came after Moran had initially been suspended pending evaluation of the incident.

White House Response and Media Accountability

The White House was quick to condemn Moran’s outburst. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized Moran’s comments as a “rampage, unhinged and unacceptable,” calling for accountability from ABC News. Stephen Miller also responded to the controversy, stating that “the most important fact about Terry’s full public meltdown is what it shows about the corporate press in America.” Miller’s observation resonates with many conservatives who have long pointed to bias in mainstream media coverage of the Trump administration.

“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,” said a spokesperson from ABC News.

The incident occurred following Moran’s recent interview with President Trump, which reportedly led to a tense exchange where Trump expressed irritation, telling Moran, “You’re not being very nice, big break.” This interaction may have contributed to Moran’s subsequent outburst on social media, revealing the personal animosity that apparently existed beneath his professional veneer.

Moran’s Defense and Rejection of Objectivity

Following his dismissal, Moran has defended his controversial statements and, more surprisingly, rejected the very concept of journalistic objectivity. In what appears to be an attempt to justify his unprofessional behavior, Moran now argues that journalists should prioritize fairness and accuracy over objectivity, essentially claiming that personal bias in reporting is acceptable as long as it is presented in what he considers a fair manner.

“My own feeling is that you don’t sacrifice your citizenship as a journalist. Your job is not to be objective,” said Terry Moran. “There is no Mount Olympus of objectivity where a Mandarin class of wise people have no feelings about their society. We’re all in this together. What you have to be is fair and accurate.”

Moran has also praised CBS News correspondent Scott Pelley’s speech criticizing President Trump, describing it as “absolutely spot on” and expressing enthusiasm about joining what he calls “that good work.” His comments confirm what many conservatives have long suspected: that major network journalists often disguise personal political agendas behind a thin facade of objective reporting. The incident exposes the challenge of maintaining truly unbiased news coverage in an increasingly polarized media landscape.

Broader Implications for Media Integrity

The Moran controversy occurs against a backdrop of increasing tension between the Trump administration and mainstream media organizations. President Trump has previously included ABC News in a list of media outlets he seeks to hold accountable for their reporting. The Walt Disney Co., ABC’s parent company, recently settled a lawsuit with Trump over false claims made by anchor George Stephanopoulos, while Paramount Global is reportedly in talks to settle another lawsuit filed by Trump regarding a 60 Minutes interview.

“[T]he most important fact about Terry’s full public meltdown is what it shows about the corporate press in America,” said Miller.

While some journalists have acknowledged the inappropriateness of Moran’s comments, others have expressed concern about White House influence on media actions. However, this perspective overlooks the fundamental issue at stake: the public’s right to receive news that attempts to present facts without overt partisan coloring. Moran’s termination serves as a reminder that even in today’s politically charged media environment, certain standards of professionalism must be maintained for news organizations to retain credibility with viewers across the political spectrum.