ABC News terminated Terry Moran’s contract after he called Trump advisor Stephen Miller a “world class hater” on social media, demonstrating how major news networks are increasingly holding staff accountable for partisan comments.
Key Takeaways
- ABC News suspended and subsequently did not renew veteran reporter Terry Moran’s contract following his inflammatory post about Stephen Miller
- Moran, who had been with ABC since 1997, called Miller “richly endowed with the capacity for hatred” in a now-deleted social media post
- The decision follows ABC’s recent $15 million settlement with President Trump over comments made by George Stephanopoulos
- The incident highlights the ongoing tension between journalists’ personal expression on social media and networks’ attempts to maintain the appearance of objectivity
- Trump administration officials responded by suggesting critics of the president and his staff “get hit” for their comments
Veteran ABC Journalist Terminated After Social Media Post
ABC News has officially ended its relationship with longtime correspondent Terry Moran following a controversial social media post criticizing Trump administration official Stephen Miller. The network confirmed that Moran’s contract would not be renewed after he was initially suspended for violating company policies. The journalist, who joined ABC News in 1997 and previously co-anchored “Nightline,” came under fire after posting comments on X (formerly Twitter) that referred to Miller as a “world class hater” who is “richly endowed with the capacity for hatred.”
The decision to part ways with Moran coincided with the expiration of his contract, though the timing suggests the social media controversy played a significant role in the network’s decision. ABC News has emphasized its commitment to objectivity, fairness, and professionalism in journalism, standards the network apparently felt were compromised by Moran’s public criticism of President Trump’s advisor. The post, which also contained criticism of President Trump himself, was deleted early Sunday morning as controversy began to mount.
Trump Administration Response and Network Pressure
The Trump administration swiftly condemned Moran’s comments, with aides suggesting that critics of the president and his staff face consequences for their public statements. This response underscores the intense scrutiny media organizations face from the administration and its supporters when covering the White House. For ABC News, the stakes were particularly high following their recent $15 million settlement with President Trump over comments made by anchor George Stephanopoulos, creating additional pressure to address Moran’s social media activity decisively.
The network’s quick action reflects growing recognition among major media organizations that partisan comments from staff, even on personal social media accounts, can damage perceptions of journalistic integrity. Conservative audiences have long criticized mainstream media outlets for perceived liberal bias, making incidents like Moran’s post particularly problematic for networks trying to maintain credibility across the political spectrum. Moran has not publicly commented on the incident or his departure from ABC News.
Media’s Struggle With Social Media Standards
This situation exemplifies the ongoing challenge news organizations face in establishing and enforcing standards for their journalists’ social media presence. The immediacy and public nature of platforms like X create unprecedented risks for reporters who previously could more easily separate their personal opinions from their professional work. Networks must now balance respecting employees’ free expression against maintaining institutional credibility, particularly as audiences increasingly expect transparency about potential biases.
For conservative viewers, incidents like Moran’s post confirm suspicions about hidden biases in mainstream reporting, while the swift consequences demonstrate that media organizations are increasingly recognizing the damage such perceptions can cause. The incident serves as a stark reminder that in today’s hyperconnected media environment, journalists at major networks are never truly “off the clock” when expressing political opinions online, and the standards for maintaining appearances of objectivity continue to evolve with mounting public and political pressure.
