“I WILL GET REVENGE”: How Just 37 Words Ended Terry Moran’s 28-Year Career and Set Off a Firestorm at ABC News

The Tweet That Shook a Network

It was supposed to be a typical late-night scroll. But at 11:46 PM on June 8, 2025, veteran ABC News correspondent Terry Moran fired off a tweet that would not only end his nearly three-decade career—it would ignite a media firestorm.

Just 37 words. That’s all it took.

In his since-deleted post, Moran labeled former President Donald Trump and his longtime advisor Stephen Miller as “world-class haters.” He went further, accusing Miller of drawing “spiritual nourishment” from hate, while claiming Trump wielded hate as “a tool for his own glorification.”

Within minutes, the tweet was gone. But it was too late.

Screenshots circulated at lightning speed. By morning, it had become a full-blown headline across news outlets. The damage was done, and ABC News had no choice but to respond.

A Storied Career Turned to Ashes

To understand the magnitude of what Moran lost, one must consider what he built.

Terry Moran began his journalism career in the early 1990s at The New Republic, then joined Court TV in 1992, where his coverage of the O.J. Simpson and Menendez brothers’ trials made him a media standout. In 1997, he joined ABC News, quickly ascending the ranks thanks to his clarity, intellect, and unflinching reporting style.

He served as Chief White House Correspondent from 1999 to 2005, covering the Clinton impeachment, the 2000 election recount, and the post-9/11 Bush years. From 2005 to 2013, he co-anchored the iconic Nightline program, guiding audiences through war coverage, election nights, and historical uprisings like the Arab Spring.

Afterward, Moran became ABC’s Chief Foreign Correspondent, based in London. His on-the-ground reporting in Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, and Central Africa earned him praise from peers and multiple industry honors: Emmys, a George Foster Peabody Award, and two Merriman Smith Awards for White House coverage.

By 2025, Moran was more than a journalist—he was an institution.

Until he wasn’t.

Fallout: White House Condemnation and ABC’s Swift Decision

The fallout came fast and hard.

Within hours, the Trump-aligned White House responded with outrage. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blasted Moran’s tweet as “unhinged and unacceptable,” while Vice President JD Vance labeled it “a vile smear unbecoming of a national journalist.”

ABC News scrambled. The network quickly suspended Moran, citing a violation of its strict neutrality policies. An internal review was launched, but most insiders considered Moran’s fate sealed from the moment the tweet hit the internet.

ABC employees reportedly felt blindsided. Morale plunged. One senior producer told media anonymously, “People are terrified. This is a PR nightmare.”

On June 10, just two days later, ABC released a terse statement: Moran’s contract would not be renewed. No tribute, no fanfare—just silence.

Underlying Tensions: Was This the Final Straw?

According to insiders, the tweet wasn’t a one-off lapse in judgment—it was the boiling point of months-long frustration.

Multiple ABC staffers say Moran had become increasingly critical of what he saw as growing editorial bias within the network. He reportedly clashed with executives over coverage priorities and the tone of political segments. Some said he felt “suffocated” by constraints on critical reporting—especially during an Oval Office interview with Trump just weeks before the tweet.

In that interview, Trump reportedly dismissed Moran with a mocking, “I’ve never heard of you,” comment that left the veteran visibly stunned. Colleagues say the moment humiliated him deeply.

Some now speculate that the tweet wasn’t impulsive—it was personal.

Reinvention: The Birth of “Independence Day”

Barely 48 hours after his firing, Moran stunned the media world once more—by announcing his pivot to independent journalism.

Launching a Substack newsletter provocatively titled Independence Day, Moran posted a fiery welcome message:

“For almost 28 years, I reported for ABC News. Now I report for myself. Unfiltered. Unafraid. And yes, there’s more to the story.”

With that, the gloves were off.

His pivot wasn’t just about staying relevant—it was retaliation. Moran vowed transparency and truth, warning he would no longer be silenced by network politics or corporate fear.

The Whisper Campaign: What Might He Reveal?

Rumors quickly swirled that Moran had left ABC with more than just bruised pride. Insiders hinted he retained emails, documents, and internal messages revealing editorial manipulation and conflicts of interest at the highest levels of the network.

Some claimed he possessed evidence of ABC executives squashing politically sensitive stories. Others suggested the network had caved to White House pressure on multiple occasions.

Then came the chilling quote that sparked widespread speculation:

“I will get revenge.”

Suddenly, Moran wasn’t just a disgruntled ex-anchor—he was a potential whistleblower. ABC brass reportedly began monitoring his Substack closely, bracing for damaging disclosures.

Part of a Larger Movement

Moran’s jump to independent journalism echoes a broader exodus of disillusioned media professionals.

Substack, YouTube, and Patreon have become safe havens for journalists seeking creative freedom and direct audience engagement. Former MSNBC host Joy Reid and CNN’s Jim Acosta have both launched similar ventures with surprising success.

The trend underscores a growing distrust in legacy media—and a desire among journalists to speak freely without navigating corporate red tape or political landmines.

A Debate on Journalism’s Future

Moran’s new path raises urgent questions. Can independent journalism maintain the same standards of accountability and ethics without institutional oversight? Or does the audience-policed model create space for greater truth?

Critics worry the Substack boom allows unchecked commentary and accelerates misinformation. But supporters argue that transparency and reader trust are better incentives than advertiser loyalty or executive approval.

In Moran’s case, his reputation for thorough reporting and decades of experience suggest he’s unlikely to devolve into conspiracy or clickbait. But even among allies, the tone of vengeance gives pause.

What Comes Next?

For now, Moran has released two installments of Independence Day, focused mostly on media reform and free speech. But industry watchers suspect bombshell revelations are coming.

Will he expose internal emails showing executive interference? Reveal off-the-record conversations with political figures? Name names?

Moran remains coy. But in one post, he wrote:

“Accountability starts with truth—and truth isn’t always polite.”

Conclusion: A Warning Shot to Legacy Media

Terry Moran’s fall from ABC wasn’t just personal—it was symbolic.

It marked a shift in power from the networks to the individuals. From boardrooms to newsletters. From scripted objectivity to raw, unfiltered commentary.

Whether his new platform leads to reform, chaos, or catharsis remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the tremors of Moran’s tweet are still being felt. Not just at ABC—but across every newsroom where control is increasingly being challenged by independence.

And with the threat of secrets yet to be revealed, traditional media has reason to worry.

After all, the man they fired hasn’t gone quietly.

He’s promised revenge.

And now, the world is watching.