Jon Stewart Calls Out ABC News for Dismissing Terry Moran—”This Is a F—ing Joke!”

In a bold move that has ignited a firestorm in the media world, comedian Jon Stewart has called out ABC News for their handling of veteran correspondent Terry Moran’s dismissal. The controversial decision, which followed Moran’s social media post criticizing President Donald Trump and his top aide Stephen Miller, has drawn criticism from Stewart, who blasted the network for what he sees as a blatant double standard in broadcast journalism.

Terry Moran - IMDb

Moran’s sudden firing from ABC News has stunned many, as the senior national correspondent had been with the network for over two decades. His departure followed a controversial tweet that labeled Trump and Miller as “world-class haters.” Though the tweet was later deleted, the network made it clear that they viewed the post as a violation of their professional standards, leading to their decision not to renew Moran’s contract.

But Stewart, known for his sharp criticism of the media establishment, isn’t buying ABC’s explanation. On The Weekly Show podcast, Stewart expressed his outrage, describing the network’s actions as “so stupid” and calling ABC News “a f—ing joke.” According to Stewart, the situation reflects the hypocrisy and selective outrage that permeates the media industry, particularly when it comes to political bias.

 

Jon Stewart poses on a red carpet; Terry Moran sits at his ABC News desk.

“Literally every day on Fox News, they’re taking stuff out of context or their people are saying utterly vicious things about democratic politicians,” Stewart said. “The entire thing is because ABC clings to this facade that they somehow exist in a bubble outside all of this.”

Stewart’s comments strike a chord with many critics of ABC News, who argue that the network’s decision to fire Moran is indicative of a larger problem in the media landscape. While ABC claims to uphold “the highest standards of objectivity, fairness, and professionalism,” Stewart believes that the network’s actions are simply part of a wider trend of media outlets playing to political agendas rather than committing to objective journalism.

Moran’s Firing: A Fallout from a Social Media Post

Moran, who had been with ABC News since 1997, became a prominent figure in the network for his high-profile interviews, including a tense session with President Trump just a few months ago. Despite the heated exchange, Moran’s work on that interview was widely praised for his incisive questioning and balanced approach. However, the tweet he posted, which criticized Trump and Miller, appeared to be the final straw for ABC News.

 

Jon Stewart is returning to 'The Daily Show' during US election cycle |  Reuters

“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,” a spokesperson for the network stated. The spokesperson also emphasized that ABC News remains committed to “delivering straightforward, trusted journalism.”

This statement has done little to quell the growing backlash against the network. Many believe that Moran’s firing is indicative of a larger issue within the media, with networks seemingly becoming more attuned to political pressure than journalistic integrity.

A Longstanding Voice Silenced

Terry Moran was not only a fixture at ABC News but also one of the network’s most respected and seasoned journalists. Having covered some of the most significant moments in recent history, Moran built a reputation for being tough yet fair in his reporting. His career spanned more than two decades, and his departure marks the end of an era at ABC.

Moran’s firing raises questions about the role of social media in shaping the professional lives of journalists. In an era where every post is scrutinized, journalists who express their personal views can face serious consequences, even when they’ve spent years building a reputation for credible reporting.

For many, Moran’s case exemplifies the pressures faced by journalists in a hyper-political environment where even subtle expressions of personal opinion can lead to career-ending consequences.

Jon Stewart’s Rebuke: A Sign of Larger Media Issues?

Stewart’s outcry underscores the growing frustration over what many see as the media’s double standards when it comes to political discourse. While conservative outlets like Fox News frequently face accusations of bias, the firing of a respected journalist like Moran suggests that mainstream networks like ABC are equally susceptible to political pressures, albeit in a more subtle way.

Stewart’s accusation that ABC News is “clinging to a facade” hints at a larger crisis in the media industry—an ongoing struggle between journalistic integrity and the political interests that increasingly dominate the news landscape. If the network can fire a reporter for expressing a personal opinion on social media, what does that say about the future of impartial journalism?

Conclusion: The Bigger Picture

Jon Stewart’s critique of ABC News over Terry Moran’s firing has brought to light the tensions within the media industry. While ABC claims to uphold objectivity and fairness, the network’s decision to dismiss Moran over a deleted social media post seems to be more about controlling the narrative than about maintaining journalistic standards.

The larger question that Stewart raises is this: Is the media, particularly major networks like ABC, still committed to telling the truth, or have they become pawns in a larger political game? The firing of Terry Moran may be just the latest example of how media organizations are shifting away from objective reporting in favor of political agendas that reflect the polarized state of modern American society.

As the media continues to navigate its evolving role in shaping public opinion, the fallout from Moran’s firing may be just the beginning of a much larger reckoning. The public’s trust in mainstream news networks is at an all-time low, and with events like these, the divide between the press and the people only seems to widen.