In a dramatic turn of events, ABC News has suspended its senior national correspondent, Terry Moran, following a controversial social media post that sparked a firestorm after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a screenshot of the now-deleted comment. The incident, which unfolded rapidly over the weekend of June 8, 2025, has thrust the network into a public relations crisis and reignited debates about journalistic impartiality and the power of social media in shaping public discourse.
The controversy began when Moran, a seasoned journalist with nearly three decades at ABC News, posted a scathing remark on X, targeting President Donald Trump and his deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller. In the since-deleted post, Moran described both men as “world-class haters,” alleging that Miller’s “bile” and Trump’s “self-glorification” were their “spiritual nourishment.” The comments, which read more like a personal diatribe than a professional critique, were quickly captured by Leavitt, the 27-year-old press secretary known for her sharp media strategy. By 8:20 a.m. ET on June 8, Leavitt had posted the screenshot on X, calling Moran’s remarks “unhinged and unacceptable” and demanding accountability from ABC News. Her post, which required no further elaboration, set off a viral storm that left the network scrambling to respond.
Within hours, ABC News issued a statement distancing itself from Moran’s comments, emphasizing that the post did not reflect the network’s values of objectivity and impartiality. “The post does not reflect the views of ABC News and violated our standards—Terry Moran has been suspended pending further evaluation,” the statement read. By June 10, just two days later, ABC announced that Moran’s contract would not be renewed, effectively terminating his tenure at the network. The swift decision, according to an ABC News source, was driven by fears of a fierce backlash from the Trump administration, which has a history of aggressively confronting perceived media slights. Last year, ABC settled a defamation lawsuit with Trump for $15 million after anchor George Stephanopoulos inaccurately claimed the former president was found liable for rape in a civil case.
The fallout from Moran’s post has exposed deeper tensions within the media landscape. Critics, including Vice President J.D. Vance, labeled the comments a “vile smear” and argued they revealed a broader bias among journalists. Miller himself took to social media, accusing Moran of a “full public meltdown” that unmasked the radical leanings of “privileged anchors” posing as objective reporters. On the other hand, cybersecurity expert Robert Graham accused Leavitt of attempting to “censor” Moran, warning that the incident signals a chilling effect on free speech under the current administration. The controversy has also drawn attention to Leavitt’s growing influence as a communications strategist. Her calculated move to amplify Moran’s post underscores her ability to wield social media as a weapon, turning a fleeting comment into a career-ending scandal.
Moran’s suspension comes at a time when public trust in media is already at a historic low, with a 2024 Gallup survey reporting that only 31% of Americans have a “fair amount” of confidence in news reporting. His comments, made just weeks after conducting a high-profile interview with Trump about his first 100 days in office, have stunned colleagues at ABC. “We’re shocked he put himself in this position,” one staffer told Fox News, noting Moran’s history of critical reporting on Trump dating back to 2017. The incident has also raised questions about the pressures journalists face in navigating an increasingly polarized political environment, where a single misstep can trigger swift repercussions.
As the dust settles, Moran has announced his next steps, signaling a move to Substack to continue his work in what he called a “time of trouble for our country.” Meanwhile, Leavitt’s role in the saga has cemented her reputation as a formidable figure in the Trump administration, capable of turning a fleeting moment into a defining reckoning for one of America’s most prominent news networks.
