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• ABC News has decided not to renew the contract of veteran correspondent Terry Moran following a critical social media post about President Donald Trump and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
• Moran’s post, which called Trump “a world-class hater” and Miller “richly endowed with the capacity for hatred,” was deemed a violation of ABC News policies.
• The decision highlights the network’s commitment to maintaining objectivity and professionalism in its reporting.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

Terry Moran, a longtime ABC News correspondent, was suspended on Sunday and subsequently had his contract terminated due to a social media post that criticized President Trump and Stephen Miller. The post, made on X, described Miller as “richly endowed with the capacity for hatred” and called him a “world-class hater.” Moran also criticized President Trump, stating his hatred was “only a means to an end, and that end [is] his own glorification.”

Core Players

• Terry Moran – Veteran ABC News correspondent (with the network since 1997)
• Donald Trump – President Trump
• Stephen Miller – White House Deputy Chief of Staff
• ABC News – Major American news organization

Key Numbers

• 1997 – Year Terry Moran joined ABC News
• 65 – Terry Moran’s age at the time of his termination
• Sunday – Day Moran was suspended
• Tuesday – Day ABC News announced the decision not to renew Moran’s contract

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The incident began when Terry Moran posted critical comments about President Trump and Stephen Miller on social media. The post was quickly deleted, but not before it was widely shared and criticized.

“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 stated.

Inside Forces

ABC News has strict policies regarding the objectivity and professionalism of its reporters. Moran’s post was seen as a clear breach of these policies, leading to his suspension and eventual termination.

The network emphasized its commitment to delivering “straightforward, trusted journalism” and holding all reporters to the “highest standards of objectivity, fairness and professionalism.”

Power Dynamics

The White House, particularly Trump allies, welcomed the news of Moran’s termination. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt were among those who called for Moran to be held “accountable” for his comments.

This reaction underscores the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the media, with the administration frequently criticizing what it perceives as biased reporting.

Outside Impact

The decision has broader implications for the media landscape, highlighting the challenges journalists face in maintaining objectivity while reporting on highly polarized figures. It also reflects the increasing scrutiny journalists are under from political figures and their supporters.

The move is seen as a victory for the White House in its pushback against media critics, but it also raises concerns about the freedom of the press and the ability of journalists to critique public figures without fear of retribution.

Future Forces

The termination of Terry Moran sets a precedent for how news organizations may handle similar situations in the future. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to strict editorial standards and the potential consequences for journalists who violate these standards.

As the media continues to navigate the complexities of reporting on contentious political figures, this incident will likely be a point of reference for both journalists and news organizations.

Data Points

• June 9, 2025 – Moran made the critical social media post.
• June 9, 2025 – Moran’s post was deleted.
• June 9, 2025 – Moran was suspended by ABC News.
• June 10, 2025 – ABC News announced it would not renew Moran’s contract.