EXCLUSIVE: Jon Stewart’s Scathing Response to ABC’s Firing of Terry Moran and the Crisis in Journalism

It wasn’t just a firing. It was a ritual sacrifice. That’s how Jon Stewart framed it when ABC News abruptly terminated veteran correspondent Terry Moran after a single controversial tweet. On his Weekly Show podcast, Stewart didn’t just criticize the decision—he detonated it. Calling ABC “a f***ing joke” and accusing them of bowing to political pressure from the Trump administration, Stewart went where few public figures dare to venture. But what made his outburst different wasn’t just the language. It was the clarity. The conviction. And the damning evidence he laid bare, pointing to something much darker than a knee-jerk firing.

The Tweet That Sparked the Collapse

It all started with a tweet. On June 8, 2025, Terry Moran, a 65-year-old correspondent with nearly 30 years at ABC News, posted a searing message on X (formerly Twitter), targeting former Trump advisor Stephen Miller. In the since-deleted tweet, Moran called Miller “a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred” and accused both Miller and Donald Trump of being “world-class haters.” He further stated that Miller “feeds off hate as spiritual nourishment,” adding, “He doesn’t operate on brains, but on bile.”

The tweet was bold, direct, and deeply personal—but not without reason. However, what followed was swift and brutal. The Trump camp reacted furiously. Vice President JD Vance labeled the post “a vile smear,” while White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called it “unhinged and unacceptable.” Within hours, ABC suspended Moran, claiming the matter was “under review.” But within 48 hours, it was clear: Moran’s contract would not be renewed. No internal investigation. No defense of free speech. Just silence.

Jon Stewart’s Scathing Response

Jon Stewart didn’t waste time before responding. When asked about the firing, he didn’t mince words. “Of course not. So stupid. No, for God’s sake. They shouldn’t have fired him,” Stewart exclaimed, clearly outraged by the network’s decision. But that was just the beginning.

Stewart didn’t stop there. He blasted ABC for its spineless reaction to what he saw as a deeply political decision. “They sold out. They traded journalistic integrity for political convenience,” Stewart continued. He criticized the network for what he perceived as hypocrisy, pointing out that Fox News regularly aired vitriolic rhetoric without consequence. “Literally, every day on Fox News, they’re taking stuff out of context or saying vicious things about Democratic politicians. And they’re not getting fired. So why is ABC pretending they’re some pillar of balance here?”

“This Is a F*ing Protection Racket”**

Stewart’s most searing indictment came when he suggested that ABC’s firing of Moran was part of a larger corporate strategy—one rooted in fear and appeasement to the Trump administration. He referred to ABC’s $15 million settlement with Trump following comments made by George Stephanopoulos about the E. Jean Carroll case, accusing the network of caving to Trump’s influence. “They shouldn’t have paid the $15 million,” Stewart said. “And they shouldn’t have fired him. But they did both. Because this is a f***ing protection racket.”

But Stewart wasn’t just calling out ABC. He broadened his critique to the entire media industry, highlighting how large corporations—like Amazon and Meta—were similarly engaging in “self-imposed censorship” to appease political power. “All of them are trying to avoid being next,” Stewart warned. “And ABC’s pretending they’re above it? That’s a lie.”

The Façade of Neutrality: A Joke

Stewart’s harshest critique wasn’t just about the firing—it was about ABC’s desperate attempt to maintain the façade of neutrality in a highly polarized political landscape. “This whole thing is because ABC clings to this façade that they somehow exist in a bubble outside all of this,” Stewart said. “That they’re neutral. That they don’t take sides.” He paused, then delivered his final verdict: “That’s a joke. A f***ing joke.”

According to Stewart, ABC had stopped functioning as an independent news outlet. Instead, it had become another corporation trying to stay in good graces with powerful figures, silencing dissent to protect its bottom line. This wasn’t cowardice, Stewart argued—it was fraud. The network was pretending to stand for truth, but in reality, it was more concerned with avoiding controversy and maintaining its corporate relationships.

“No Amount of Loyalty Will Ever Be Enough”

Stewart concluded his tirade by warning ABC that this strategy of appeasement would ultimately backfire. “You’ve seen Trump attack Fox News,” he said, pointing to the fact that even the network that had been his closest ally still faced his ire when they didn’t align with his views. “There’s no level of fealty that is enough,” Stewart asserted. “You either stand for something or you don’t.”

He was clear: appeasing Trump would not secure peace; it would only invite more aggression. By firing Moran, ABC wasn’t protecting itself—it was painting a target on its back. “No matter how much they bend, it will never be enough.”

Terry Moran Breaks His Silence

After days of speculation, Moran finally spoke out—and his comments only added fuel to the fire. In an interview, Moran explained that the tweet was not an impulsive act. “It wasn’t a drunk tweet,” he said. “I was sitting with my family. I thought about it. I wrote it, and I thought, ‘That’s true.’” Moran also revealed that he had been in talks with ABC for a three-year contract extension, but that agreement disappeared after the political pressure mounted.

Moran’s defiance continued as he launched his own Substack newsletter to continue sharing his perspectives and defending the truth. “I don’t check my citizenship at the door when I go to work,” he said. “And if telling the truth gets you fired, then what are we even doing?”

Independent Journalists Respond: “This Isn’t Just About ABC. This Is About All of Us.”

While mainstream media figures largely stayed silent, independent journalists didn’t hold back. Krystal Ball, co-host of Breaking Points, voiced her frustration: “ABC just showed every journalist in America what happens when you speak the truth about power. This isn’t just corporate cowardice—it’s complicity.”

Matt Taibbi, known for his work on Substack and formerly of Rolling Stone, called Moran’s firing “a moment of collapse for legacy media.” He wrote, “Terry Moran isn’t some fringe provocateur. He’s a career journalist, the kind these institutions used to build reputations on. If he can’t speak freely, who can?”

Many echoed these sentiments, pointing out that Moran’s firing wasn’t just about silencing one individual but setting a dangerous precedent for the entire media industry.

The Long-Term Cost: What Happens When Journalism Becomes Fearful?

Stewart’s outburst has ignited a larger conversation about the future of journalism. What happens when speaking the truth costs a journalist their job? In the short term, media executives may feel they’ve avoided conflict, but the long-term consequences are far more corrosive.

First, self-censorship becomes the new norm. Journalists, fearing repercussions, will hesitate before making bold observations or asking tough questions. Second, a talent exodus could follow as journalists opt for safer, less controversial careers, leading to a loss of journalistic integrity. Third, public distrust deepens as people see respected reporters punished for speaking the truth.

Lastly, politicians—especially those in power—will learn the wrong lesson. If corporations like ABC are willing to silence dissent to avoid conflict, it sends a message that power can silence criticism, weakening the press’s ability to hold the powerful accountable.

Conclusion: A Turning Point for Journalism

Terry Moran’s firing is a wake-up call for the media industry. As Jon Stewart rightly pointed out, if the biggest media organizations are this afraid of power, then who is left to tell the truth? In an era where corporate influence and political pressure increasingly shape the news, journalists like Moran—and the broader media ecosystem—are at a crossroads.

This isn’t just about one firing. It’s about the future of journalism itself, and whether it will remain a pillar of democracy or become another tool in the hands of corporate and political interests.