erry Moran Breaks Silence After ABC Firing, Stands by Scathing Post on Trump and Stephen Miller

Terry Moran, a veteran journalist with nearly three decades at ABC News, is speaking out after the network abruptly severed ties with him over a controversial social media post targeting former President Donald Trump and his longtime adviser, Stephen Miller.

In a candid interview with The Bulwark’s Tim Miller, Moran didn’t just defend the remarks that led to his ouster—he doubled down. “I wrote it because I thought it was true,” Moran said on Substack, referring to the now-infamous June 8 post that cost him his job.

The fallout marks a stunning chapter in the career of one of ABC News’ most respected correspondents, raising broader questions about objectivity in journalism, the limits of free expression for reporters, and the enduring influence of Trump-era political figures on American discourse.

The Post That Sparked the Storm

The controversy erupted when Moran, who joined ABC News in 1997 and held the title of Senior National Correspondent, posted a blistering critique of Stephen Miller on X (formerly Twitter).

Describing Miller as “a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred,” Moran wrote that Miller’s “hatreds are his spiritual nourishment.” He went on to say that Trump, whom he interviewed earlier this year, is “a world-class hater” who uses hatred “as a means to an end, and that end is his own glorification.”

The comments quickly went viral—and quickly got him suspended. Within hours, ABC News issued a statement denouncing the post as “subjective” and in violation of the network’s standards of objectivity and professionalism. Days later, the network confirmed it would not be renewing Moran’s contract.

Moran: “It Wasn’t a Drunk Tweet”

Critics accused Moran of letting personal bias override journalistic integrity. But in his conversation with Tim Miller, the journalist pushed back forcefully.

“It wasn’t a drunk tweet,” he said, addressing speculation that the post—shared after midnight—was impulsive or emotional. “I had been thinking about the country all day. I got in bed and typed it out. I looked at it and thought, ‘That’s true.’ And I hit send.”

Moran acknowledged the post was intentionally provocative, saying he used “very strong language deliberately” to call out what he sees as a dangerous influence in American politics.

He accused Stephen Miller of “spitting venom and lies” and “degrading our public discourse,” adding that Miller’s public persona has had a corrosive effect on national unity. “He uses his power to grind us down in that bile,” Moran said.

Journalistic Objectivity vs. Moral Clarity

Perhaps most controversially, Moran challenged the long-standing doctrine of journalistic objectivity itself.

“Your job is not to be objective,” Moran said. “What you have to be is fair and accurate.”

He maintained that his post—while blunt and opinionated—met both of those standards.

“To describe Stephen Miller accurately, I needed to use the language I used,” Moran said. “That’s my observation, which is what reporters do.”

He also pushed back against claims of partisan bias, describing himself not as a progressive firebrand but a “Hubert Humphrey Democrat”—a reference to the centrist liberal and former vice president.

“I’m not that liberal,” Moran said. “But I’m deeply worried about the country.”

A Storied Career Cut Short

Moran’s firing ends a prominent tenure that spanned U.S. elections, wars, papal visits, and presidential interviews. He covered the Supreme Court, the White House, and foreign affairs with distinction, earning accolades for his reporting from conflict zones and political conventions alike.

But in the end, it was a single late-night post that derailed it all.

ABC’s response has reignited debate over how major news organizations should handle journalists’ personal opinions on social media—especially in a post-Trump media landscape where the line between fact and opinion has become increasingly blurred.

In a statement to USA TODAY, ABC News said the decision to part ways with Moran was based solely on his violation of company policy: “ABC News stands for objectivity and impartiality in its news coverage and does not condone subjective personal attacks on others.”

What’s Next for Moran?

Rather than retreat, Moran says he’s moving forward. Just days after his exit, he announced the launch of his own Substack newsletter and video channel.

In a video posted on June 11, Moran said he “can’t wait to get at it,” promising to deliver journalism that speaks to the “important work we all have to do in this time of such trouble for our country.”

Though now untethered from one of America’s top networks, Moran appears determined to continue speaking out—with the freedom that comes from being independent.

“Sometimes the truth is uncomfortable,” he said. “But I’d rather be true than silent.”