Terry Moran is no longer with ABC News, just two days after the network suspended him over a social media post calling Trump administration Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller a “world-class hater.”
ABC News confirmed Tuesday that it would not renew Moran’s contract.
“We are at the end of our agreement with Terry Moran,” an ABC spokesperson said. “Based on his recent post – which was a clear violation of ABC News policies – we have made the decision to not renew.”
Highlights
- Terry Moran's nearly 30-year tenure with ABC News ended after his social media post about Trump and Miller.
- Moran's contract was not renewed after he violated ABC News policies.
- Moran described Miller as a 'world-class hater,' breaking journalistic norms.
ABC News will not renew Terry Moran’s contract after his social media post violated company policy
Image credits: TerryMoran/Instagram
Moran had worked at ABC since 1997. He was a senior correspondent, ABC’s chief foreign correspondent for the past five years, and previously co-anchored Nightline.
His departure comes as his contract with the network was about to expire this Friday.
“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,” an ABC spokesperson added.
The controversy began early Sunday when Moran posted on X that Stephen Miller was a “world-class hater.”
“The thing about Stephen Miller is not that he is the brains behind Trumpism,” Moran wrote in the now-deleted post.
Image credits: Brian Krassenstein/X
“Yes, he is one of the people who conceptualizes the impulses of the Trumpist movement and translates them into policy. But that's not what's interesting about Miller. It's not brains. It's bile.”
“Miller is a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred. He's a world-class hater,” Moran added. “You can see this just by looking at him because you can see that his hatreds are his spiritual nourishment. He eats his hate.”
Moran continued the post, also calling Trump a “world-class hater,” but said that “his hatred [is] only a means to an end, and that end [is] his own glorification. That’s his spiritual nourishment.”
Vice President JD Vance and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt strongly criticized Moran, while Trump aide Steven Cheung responded with a harsh message on X, saying, “talk s—t, get hit.”
Miller, an immigration hardliner, is currently Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy.
He has played a key role in shaping Trump’s immigration agenda, including a family separation policy and a travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries.
He has played a key role in shaping Trump’s immigration agenda, including a family separation policy and a travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries.
In the post, Moran called Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller a ‘world-class hater’
Image credits: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Moran’s post drew attention for breaking standard journalism rules: reporters are expected to stay neutral and avoid expressing personal opinions about the people they cover.
ABC News is still dealing with the fallout from a past defamation lawsuit. In December, the network agreed to pay $15 million to Trump’s foundation after anchor George Stephanopoulos said Trump had been found liable for rape.
Moran recently interviewed Trump in a televised special that aired during prime time. In that interview, Trump criticized Morgan’s questioning.
“They’re giving you the big break of a lifetime,” Trump told Moran. “You’re doing the interview, I picked you because, frankly, I never heard of you, but that’s okay. I picked you, Terry, but you’re not being very nice.”
ABC News has not named a replacement for Moran.