NATIONWIDE – Veteran ABC News correspondent Terry Moran was suspended by the network after posting a highly critical assessment of President Donald Trump and his Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller on the social media platform X.

Key Insights:

• Reason for Suspension – Moran was suspended for a social media post on X, where he described President Trump and Stephen Miller as “world-class haters,” with additional commentary on their motivations.
• ABC News’ Stance – ABC News stated that Moran’s post violated its standards for objectivity and impartiality, emphasizing that the network does not condone subjective personal attacks.
• White House Reaction – White House officials, including Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Vice President JD Vance, publicly condemned Moran’s post and called for disciplinary action from ABC News.

Terry Moran’s suspension came swiftly after his social media comments drew public criticism from the Trump administration, prompting ABC News to respond to questions regarding its journalistic standards.

Why Terry Moran Was Suspended by ABC News

Terry Moran, a veteran correspondent for ABC News and former “Nightline” anchor, posted his critical remarks shortly after midnight. In the now-deleted missive, Moran characterized both President Trump and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller as “world-class haters.” He elaborated, stating that for Trump, “hatred is only a means to an end, and that end is his own glorification. That’s his spiritual nourishment.” Conversely, Moran claimed that for Miller, “hatreds are his spiritual nourishment. He eats his hate.” The post quickly drew attention and condemnation from White House officials.

How the White House Reacted to the Social Media Post

On Sunday morning, Trump administration officials publicly condemned Moran’s post, asserting that it reflected poorly on ABC News as an institution. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt publicly urged ABC News to discipline Moran, stating on X, “We have reached out to ABC to inquire about how they plan to hold Terry accountable.” She further elaborated in an interview on “Sunday Morning Futures” on Fox News, saying, “Hopefully this journalist will either be suspended or terminated.” Vice President JD Vance also defended Miller on X, asserting that Miller is “motivated by love of country” and that ABC “should apologize.” Approximately one hour after Leavitt’s public statements, ABC News announced Moran’s suspension, pending further evaluation. The network’s spokesperson affirmed, “ABC News 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.”

The Broader Discussion on Journalistic Objectivity and Social Media

The suspension of Terry Moran raises questions about the boundaries of personal expression for journalists on social media, particularly for correspondents at major news networks. Miller, often recognized as a key architect of Trump’s immigration policies, responded to Moran’s post by stating, “The most important fact about Terry’s full public meltdown is what it shows about the corporate press in America.” He added, “For decades, the privileged anchors and reporters narrating and gatekeeping our society have been radicals adopting a journalist’s pose. Terry pulled off his mask.” This incident follows a defamation case settlement between ABC News and former President Trump in December, further highlighting the ongoing scrutiny of media bias and journalistic conduct.