What’s Terry Moran Planning After Being Sacked by ABC News Because His Explosive Trump?

In a candid and revealing interview conducted on Sunday, June 15, 2025, Terry Moran, a veteran correspondent who recently parted ways with ABC News, spoke openly about the social media post that led to his dismissal and his decision to embrace a new chapter as an independent journalist on Substack. The 65-year-old journalist, whose 28-year tenure at ABC News included roles as chief White House correspondent, co-anchor of “Nightline,” and senior national correspondent, expressed no regrets about the controversial post that sparked a firestorm, ultimately costing him his position at the network. Instead, Moran appeared energized, describing his move to Substack as a liberating opportunity to continue his journalistic mission in a time of national turmoil.

The controversy began on the night of Saturday, June 7, 2025, when Moran posted a scathing critique of the Trump administration on the social media platform X. In the now-deleted post, he described President Donald Trump and his deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, as “world-class haters.” Moran’s remarks about Miller were particularly pointed, calling him “a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred” and suggesting that “his hatreds are his spiritual nourishment. He eats his hate.” Regarding Trump, Moran wrote that the president’s hatred was “a means to an end, and that end is his own glorification.” The post, which Moran later clarified was not written under the influence of alcohol, stunned his colleagues at ABC News and drew swift condemnation from Trump administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance, who labeled it an “absolutely vile smear” and demanded an apology from the network.

By Sunday morning, ABC News had suspended Moran, citing a violation of the network’s policies on objectivity and impartiality. Two days later, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the network announced it would not renew Moran’s contract, which was set to expire that Friday. “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 spokesperson stated. The decision was met with mixed reactions: some veteran journalists criticized Moran for breaching the standards of impartiality expected of a straight-news reporter, while supporters, particularly on the left, praised him for his candid assessment of the administration.

In his first interview since the incident, conducted via Zoom with The New York Times reporters Jessica Testa and Michael M. Grynbaum, Moran appeared unapologetic and reflective. “It wasn’t a drunk tweet,” he said with a lopsided grin, dispelling speculation about the circumstances of the post. He recounted the events leading up to it, describing a serene evening that began with a meditative walk with his dog in the woods. “I was thinking about our country, and what’s happening, and just turning it over in my mind,” he explained. After returning home for a family dinner and a screening of Ocean’s Eleven, Moran put his children to bed before composing the post. “I typed it out, looked at it, and thought, ‘That’s true,’” he said, emphasizing that his words were deliberate and heartfelt.

Moran, who has long been regarded as a measured and professional journalist, acknowledged the intensity of his language. In a separate interview with The Bulwark podcast, hosted by Tim Miller, he described the post as “very hot” but maintained that it was “accurate and true.” Styling himself as a “proud centrist,” Moran expressed dismay at the “viciousness and intolerance” in contemporary political discourse, yet stood by his assessment of Trump and Miller. He argued that his role as a journalist compelled him to speak truthfully about the state of the nation, even if it meant crossing the boundaries of traditional objectivity. “I don’t think you should ever regret telling the truth,” he told The New York Times.

The fallout from Moran’s post was swift and polarizing. Within hours, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called for ABC to discipline Moran, describing his comments as “unhinged and unacceptable.” Stephen Miller himself responded, framing the post as evidence of bias in the corporate press: “The most important fact about Terry’s full meltdown is what it shows about the corporate press in America. For decades, the privileged anchors and reporters narrating and gatekeeping our society have been radicals adopting a journalist’s pose.” The controversy was further amplified when White House communications director Steven Cheung posted on X, “Talk sh*t, get hit,” a provocative twist on a slogan Trump had used in response to protests in Los Angeles.

At ABC News, Moran’s colleagues were reportedly shocked by the nature of his remarks. The veteran correspondent, who joined the network in 1997 after starting his career at Court TV, had built a reputation for careful reporting and measured analysis. Over the years, he covered significant events, including eight presidential campaigns, foreign conflicts, the Supreme Court, and the papal conclave in Rome. Just six weeks before his dismissal, Moran had conducted a high-profile interview with Trump in the Oval Office, earning praise for gently challenging the president’s false claims about a man deported to El Salvador. The interview was seen as a testament to Moran’s ability to navigate complex political landscapes while maintaining journalistic integrity.

The decision to part ways with Moran was influenced by both the content of his post and the timing of his contract, which was nearing its end. According to CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter, the fact that Moran’s deal was set to expire on Friday, June 13, 2025, “made it easier for ABC to take swift action.” Some speculated that economic pressures, combined with the network’s desire to avoid further conflict with the Trump administration, played a role in the decision. In December 2024, ABC’s parent company, The Walt Disney Company, had agreed to pay $16 million to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by Trump over comments made by anchor George Stephanopoulos, who incorrectly stated that Trump had been found liable for rape in a civil trial. The settlement, which included $15 million for Trump’s presidential library and $1 million for legal fees, was seen as a significant concession by the network.

Undeterred by his abrupt departure, Moran wasted no time in charting a new course. On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, he announced his move to Substack, a subscription-based platform that has become a haven for journalists seeking independence from traditional media outlets. In a video titled “Independence Day,” posted on both X and his Substack account, Moran addressed his audience directly: “For almost 28 years, I was a reporter and anchor for ABC News, and as you may have heard, I’m not there anymore. I’m here, with you, on Substack, this amazing space. And I can’t wait to get at it, to get at the important work that we all have to do in this time of such trouble for our country.”

Moran’s Substack launch was met with enthusiasm from peers and supporters. Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta, who transitioned to Substack earlier in 2025, welcomed Moran to the platform, saying, “Come on in, Terry. The water is warm.” Other prominent journalists, including Don Lemon, Joy Reid, Chuck Todd, and Mehdi Hasan, have similarly embraced Substack or similar platforms as traditional media faces declining ad revenues and corporate consolidation. Moran’s channel quickly gained traction, amassing over 90,000 subscribers in less than a week, a testament to his enduring reputation and the public’s appetite for his perspective.

In his interviews, Moran outlined his vision for his Substack venture, emphasizing a commitment to reporting, interviewing, and engaging directly with his audience. He expressed a particular interest in covering marginalized communities, such as the Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, who have faced political vilification following Trump’s promotion of debunked claims about pet consumption. Moran noted that many of these immigrants, who arrived legally under temporary protected status to address labor shortages, now face deportation after the Trump administration’s decision to end certain visa programs. “The town had come to depend on them,” he said, signaling his intent to highlight stories of resilience and injustice.

The move to Substack represents a broader trend among journalists seeking greater editorial freedom and direct connection with their audiences. For Moran, the platform offers a chance to speak unfiltered, free from the constraints of corporate media. “We are free to speak our minds here,” he told The Bulwark, expressing optimism about the future of independent journalism. While some critics, such as media columnist Margaret Sullivan, argued that Moran’s post was inappropriate for a straight-news reporter, others, like former CNN anchor Jim Acosta, see his departure as a sign of the times. “Until corporate media grows a stronger spine, the public will keep flocking to independent journalists who hold Trump’s feet to the fire,” Acosta told Vanity Fair.

Moran’s exit from ABC News and his swift pivot to Substack underscore the evolving landscape of journalism, where traditional outlets face increasing pressure from both political actors and economic realities. His unapologetic stance and rapid embrace of a new platform suggest that he views this moment not as a setback but as an opportunity to redefine his role in a polarized media environment. As he told The Bulwark, “We will lose this democracy if we do not use our voices.” For Moran, Substack is the next stage in that mission, a space where he can continue to report, reflect, and engage with a nation grappling with division and uncertainty.