Terry Moran, a veteran correspondent for ABC News, was suspended on Sunday after he shared a highly critical post regarding President Donald Trump and Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, on the social media platform X. This post, which emerged shortly after midnight, labeled both figures as “world-class haters.” Moran articulated that for Trump, hatred serves merely as a tool for his own glorification, describing it as his “spiritual nourishment.” In a pointed criticism of Miller, Moran claimed that “hatreds are his spiritual nourishment,” asserting that “he eats his hate.”
Moran, who previously secured a rare Oval Office interview with Trump in April, later deleted the controversial tweet and refrained from making any further comments. By Sunday morning, officials within the Trump administration reacted strongly, condemning Moran’s remarks and suggesting that they tarnished the reputation of ABC News as a credible news organization. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt publicly urged ABC to take disciplinary action against Moran, stating, “We have reached out to ABC to inquire about how they plan to hold Terry accountable.” She expressed hope that Moran would either be suspended or terminated during an interview on “Sunday Morning Futures” on Fox News.
In response to the mounting pressure, ABC News confirmed that it would be taking action regarding Moran's conduct. Shortly thereafter, the network announced his suspension, underscoring its commitment to objectivity and impartiality in news coverage. A spokesperson for ABC stated, “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.”
Stephen Miller, who has often been characterized as the architect behind Trump’s controversial immigration policies, is no stranger to intense criticism, including the “hater” label Moran applied to him. His connections to far-right groups that have been known to demonize immigrants were notably documented in the 2020 book “Hatemonger.” However, it remains particularly rare for a network correspondent like Moran to engage in such overtly political commentary, especially on a platform known for its free-for-all nature.
In reaction to Moran’s post, Miller remarked that “the most important fact about Terry’s full public meltdown is what it shows about the corporate press in America.” He further accused the media establishment of harboring radical views while masquerading as impartial journalists, stating, “Terry pulled off his mask.”
Additionally, Vice President JD Vance defended Miller on X, asserting that Miller is “motivated by love of country” and called for ABC to issue an apology. This incident has sparked significant discussions within the media landscape about the boundaries of personal expression for journalists and the expectations for impartiality in reporting.
