Topline
ABC News’ Terry Moran will no longer be with the outlet, according to a statement from ABC on Tuesday, citing a recent tweet from the senior correspondent blasting President Donald Trump and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller as the reason it would not renew his contract.
Key Facts
ABC News said Moran’s since-deleted tweet, in which he called Trump and Miller each a “world-class hater,” “was a clear violation of ABC News policies.”
Moran was suspended from ABC News on Sunday after saying Miller was “a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred” and that “his hatreds are spiritual nourishment,” provoking the White House to demand accountability from 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,” ABC News added in its statement.
Moran worked with ABC News for nearly 30 years, covering the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, wars in the Middle East and several election cycles.
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Moran Recently Interviewed Trump In Tense Exchange
Moran interviewed Trump in an April segment covering the president’s first 100 days in office. Trump described ABC News as “one of the worst” during the interview in which he defended his sweeping tariff policies, economic agenda and immigration crackdown. Moran also addressed the Trump administration’s initial decision to not return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the U.S. after he was mistakenly deported, disputing tattoos of Garcia’s alleged by the White House to show MS-13 connections. Trump argued with Moran over the tattoos, saying “you’re not being very nice.”
Key Background
The president has clashed with ABC News before, settling a defamation lawsuit against the outlet last year that resulted in ABC News paying $15 million to a “presidential foundation and museum” for Trump that has yet to be built. Trump specifically sued the outlet over statements made on air by anchor George Stephanopoulos, who said Trump was found “liable for rape” at least 10 times in advice columnist E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuit against the president. Trump was instead found liable for the sexual abuse of Carroll, who received over $80 million in her defamation lawsuit against Trump.
Further Reading
What Trump Said In 100 Days Interview: China Tariffs, Deportations And Putin (Forbes)
ABC News Pays $15 Million To Settle Donald Trump’s Defamation Suit (Forbes)
