Wondering why ABC News fired longtime correspondent Terry Moran? A recent social media post sparked controversy and led to swift action from the network. The situation drew reactions from political figures and raised questions about journalistic standards.
Here’s what led to Moran’s firing and what ABC News said about the decision.
Why did Terry Moran get fired from ABC News?
ABC News fired Terry Moran after he posted a social media message criticizing Stephen Miller, President Donald Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy. On June 10, 2025, ABC News confirmed it would not renew Moran’s contract, stating his post was “a clear violation of ABC News policies.”
In a now-deleted June 8 post on X, Moran called Miller “a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred” and described Trump as a “world-class hater” who uses hatred for self-glorification. ABC News responded by suspending Moran and later announced his departure, citing a breach of its standards for “objectivity, fairness and professionalism.”
A spokesperson told USA TODAY, “We are at the end of our agreement with Terry Moran and based on his recent post… we have made the decision to not renew.” The network emphasized that its reporters must adhere to editorial guidelines that prohibit subjective personal attacks.
The post sparked a backlash from senior Republicans. Vice President JD Vance called Moran’s remarks “an absolutely vile smear.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the post as “unhinged and unacceptable” and said the White House had contacted ABC about the matter.
According to The Washington Post, Moran was initially suspended “pending further evaluation” of whether his post violated neutrality standards. ABC News insiders expressed frustration over Moran’s actions. Some said his post harmed the network’s credibility, especially after recent efforts to rebuild relations with the Trump administration.
Moran, 65, joined ABC in 1997 and served as co-anchor of Nightline and senior national correspondent. He had recently interviewed Trump in April 2025. While he deleted the post, Moran has not issued a public statement since his dismissal.
