ABC News, which is owned by Disney, has formally ended its association with veteran correspondent Terry Moran following his suspension due to a controversial late-night social media post criticizing both President Donald Trump and his deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, just a few days ago.
The recently removed post portrayed Miller as an individual known for intense dislike, suggesting that his negative feelings sustain him spiritually and serve as his dietary intake, metaphorically speaking. Additionally, Moran mentioned Trump in the same post, proposing that the president’s animosity stems from a need to aggrandize himself.
On Tuesday, ABC issued a statement clarifying that Moran’s comments breached their newsroom regulations, leading to the decision not to extend his contract beyond its upcoming expiration date this week.
Due to his latest content, which breached our ABC News guidelines, we’ve chosen not to extend his contract,” the company announced.
A Career Ends in Controversy
Terry Moran has been associated with ABC News since 1997 and during this time he established a distinguished career marked by roles such as anchoring Nightline, reporting on the Supreme Court, and covering American politics from its political frontlines. A few weeks before his suspension, Moran had an interview with President Trump for a prime-time broadcast that escalated into a confrontation when Trump criticized him, stating, “You’re not being very gentle.
Moran’s post breached ABC’s rules, and it was particularly inappropriate given the delicate state of affairs for the network. During this critical period, even minor errors can have significant political and financial consequences.
Trump White House Responds Swiftly and Forcefully
In a swift reaction, members of the Trump administration quickly addressed Moran’s comments. Vice President J.D. Vance labelled the post as “completely repugnant,” while Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denounced it as “outrageous and intolerable.
In simpler terms, Steven Cheung, an advisor to President Trump, provided a more straightforward reaction regarding X, stating that individuals who publicly criticize or disrespect the president and his team can expect consequences, implying they will face retaliation. This stance seems to indicate a stronger approach by the administration in countering what they perceive as media bias, particularly since Trump has begun his second term and holds more control over the corporate media landscape.
A Broader Strategy at Disney?
As a movie critic, I find it crucial to shed light on the recent events unfolding within the media landscape. The termination of Terry Moran isn’t an isolated incident; it follows closely on the heels of Disney’s decision to contribute $15 million towards Donald Trump’s presidential library as part of a settlement for a high-profile defamation lawsuit against ABC anchor, George Stephanopoulos.
The lawsuit was sparked by an erroneous claim made by Stephanopoulos in a March 2024 report, where he incorrectly asserted that Trump had been held liable for a heinous crime during the E. Jean Carroll civil trial. This mistake undeniably stirred controversy and may have played a role in the recent shakeups within the industry.
In the course of the settlement, Disney didn’t just provide funds for the library but also made a public apology and gave an extra $1 million towards Trump’s legal expenses. This payment sparked curiosity in both political and media spheres, with some suggesting it could signal a shift in Disney’s approach to conflicts with the Trump administration in the future.
The dispute with ABC occurs concurrently with another conflict between Trump and CBS News, which is taking place in the media sphere this time.
The President openly criticized CBS, accusing them of “obvious meddling in the elections,” referring to an allegedly manipulated interview on 60 Minutes featuring Vice President Kamala Harris, which he believes was purposefully edited to enhance her image.
It seems that the potential merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media may have encountered difficulties due to conflict reports. Insiders suggest that Donald Trump’s public opposition to CBS has sparked significant political and regulatory concerns.
A Calculated Effort to Avoid More Legal Landmines
In light of the circumstances, it seems that Moran’s dismissal goes beyond merely responding to a single post. It appears to represent a strategic move by Disney and ABC News to limit their political involvement and prevent another expensive legal dispute from arising.
The quick response from the network against an employee with decades of service, especially one who had recently secured a high-profile interview with Trump, seems to indicate that they are now strictly enforcing a policy with no tolerance for political opinions that deviate from impartial reporting, especially when such expressions could potentially upset the White House.
It’s unclear if this change at ABC News represents a long-term cultural transformation or a short-term adjustment amid ongoing lawsuits. However, it seems Disney is currently adopting a cautious approach, suggesting that even seasoned journalists may face repercussions for being too aggressive in their reporting towards the administration on personal matters during this new political phase.
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2025-06-11 16:59