Media

ABC Boots Star Anchor for Saying Stephen Miller ‘Eats His Hate’

GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK

The big name had a contentious Trump interview—but his midnight X habit cost him dear.

A photo illustration of ABC senior national correspondent Terry Moran, Stephen Miller, and an excerpt of an X/Tweet sent by Moran.
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty/X

ABC News cut ties with senior national correspondent Terry Moran on Tuesday after he sent out a fiery X post that blasted Donald Trump aide Stephen Miller as a “world-class hater.”

“We are at the end of our agreement with Terry Moran and based on his recent post—which was a clear violation of ABC News policies—we have made the decision to not renew,” an ABC News spokesperson said on Tuesday. “At ABC News, we hold all of our reporters to the highest standards of objectivity, fairness and professionalism, and we remain committed to delivering straightforward, trusted journalism.”

Moran was suspended on Sunday after he posted a since-deleted lengthy analysis at midnight the previous night. It described Miller as “a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred.” The post said Trump’s hatred “was only a means to an end, and that end is his own glorification. That’s his spiritual nourishment.”

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The post was widely condemned by Trump officials, and press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it “unhinged and unacceptable.”

ABC said on Sunday that it “stands for objectivity and impartiality in its news coverage and does not condone subjective personal attacks on others.”

“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,” a spokesperson said at the time.

Moran’s ouster marked a sudden turn of events for the ascendant ABC News star, who most recently secured the first network interview with Trump since he took office in January. Trump told the anchor he “picked” him over other stars like George Stephanopoulos and David Muir.

It was ABC’s first interview with Trump since it settled with the president for $16 million in December in his defamation suit.

The Daily Beast reached out to Moran for comment but he did not immediately respond.

Stephen Miller (C) looks on as U.S. President Donald Trump hosts a round-table discussion on border security in the Cabinet Room of the White House on January 11, 2019 in Washington, DC.
Stephen Miller is widely credited as the brains behind some of President Donald Trump's immigration policies, including the Muslim travel ban in his first term. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Miller, the architect of both Trump administrations’ hardline immigration agenda, said Moran’s “full public meltdown” exposed the corporate press.

“For decades, the privileged anchors and reporters narrating and gatekeeping our society have been radicals adopting a journalist’s pose,” he said in an X post. “Terry pulled off his mask.”

Moran’s scathing critique set off a firestorm in MAGA World, with conservative politicians and pundits rushing to Miller’s defense.

Vice President J.D. Vance blasted Moran’s post as an “absolutely vile smear.”

“ABC should apologize to Stephen. What Terry posted is disgraceful,” he said.

Fox News host-turned-MAGA influencer Megyn Kelly wrote: “Any actual news organization would fire him this minute.”

Jack Posobiec, a right-wing activist, echoed Miller’s response to the ABC News journalist.

“I’m glad that Terry Moran finally went mask off. This is how just about everyone in corporate media thinks,” he said. “He’s just the only one dumb enough to say it out loud. Clarity is good! They hate the American people, and now they can’t hide it anymore.”