Terry Moran’s late-night social media outburst sparked a clash between journalistic standards and political accountability.
At a Glance
- Senior ABC correspondent Terry Moran described Stephen Miller and Donald Trump as “world-class haters” in a now-deleted post on X.
- ABC suspended Moran on June 8, 2025, citing violations of its objectivity and impartiality standards.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned Moran’s remarks as “unhinged and unacceptable.”
- Vice President JD Vance called the post “an absolutely vile smear” and demanded an apology.
- The suspension follows ABC’s $15 million Trump defamation settlement and ongoing FCC scrutiny.
The Post and ABC’s Response
In the early hours of June 8, 2025, longtime ABC correspondent Terry Moran posted a scathing message on X (formerly Twitter), calling Trump adviser Stephen Miller a man who “eats his hate” and branding both Miller and former President Donald Trump as “world-class haters.” The post, later deleted, sparked internal uproar at ABC, which swiftly suspended Moran for violating its standards of impartiality. The network confirmed the decision in a brief statement, citing the need to maintain objective credibility in its journalism.
Political Backlash
The Trump administration responded with coordinated fury. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called Moran’s post “unhinged and unacceptable,” confirming the White House reached out to ABC to demand accountability. Vice President JD Vance echoed the condemnation, denouncing the post as a “vile smear” and insisting that Miller, a senior adviser, deserved a public apology. Stephen Miller himself accused the media of masquerading as neutral while harboring radical biases. Katie Miller, his wife, went further, calling the post “propaganda” and demanding Moran’s termination.
Watch a report: ABC correspondent Moran suspended after controversial “world-class hater” post.
Context and Implications
Moran’s suspension deepens the widening rift between ABC and the Trump camp. Just six months earlier, ABC paid $15 million to settle a defamation suit brought by Trump over anchor George Stephanopoulos’s remarks on a sexual assault case. Meanwhile, Disney, ABC’s parent company, is under investigation by the FCC—an inquiry led by a Trump-aligned commissioner. Moran, who joined ABC in 1997 and previously served as chief foreign and White House correspondent, has long been a polarizing figure in the eyes of conservative critics. In April, he conducted a pointed interview with Trump during the president’s first 100 days, which some interpreted as adversarial.
The episode reignites debate about journalistic expression on personal platforms. While some defenders argue that Moran’s comments reflect constitutionally protected personal opinion, critics contend they cross a line that undermines the credibility of mainstream media. ABC’s swift action reflects a zero-tolerance stance—but also raises questions about whether networks are overcorrecting to avoid political retaliation.
Looking Ahead
ABC has not specified how long Moran’s suspension will last or whether further disciplinary steps are under consideration. Industry observers say the outcome could influence newsroom policies across the country, as organizations continue to grapple with the intersection of personal speech and professional ethics in an era of heightened political scrutiny. As of now, Moran remains off the air, and ABC’s leadership remains under pressure from both political and journalistic watchdogs to clarify its standards—and stick to them.
