In a fiery outburst on The Daily Show podcast, John Stewart blasted ABC News for their controversial decision to fire veteran news anchor Terry Moran after a stellar 28-year career. Stewart’s scathing criticism follows Moran’s recent suspension and ultimate dismissal over a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he called Trump’s former Chief of Staff Stephen Miller a “world-class hater.” What happened to journalistic integrity, and why is ABC News punishing truth-tellers like Moran?

John Stewart pulled no punches when expressing his outrage over ABC News’ handling of the situation. The veteran comedian and media personality called the network’s actions “so stupid,” claiming they were ignoring the reality of the political climate in favor of appeasing corporate interests. “For God’s sake, they shouldn’t have fired him,” Stewart exclaimed. “The entire thing is because ABC clings to this facade that they somehow exist in a bubble outside all of this. It’s a joke. They’re a f**king joke.”

The Controversial Firing

The controversy surrounding Moran’s firing began when ABC News suspended him after his outspoken criticism of Stephen Miller. The suspension was followed by an announcement from the network that his contract would not be renewed. ABC News issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to “objectivity, fairness, and professionalism,” asserting that Moran’s post was a “clear violation” of their editorial policies.

“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,” ABC News said in a statement. “At ABC News, we hold all of our reporters to the highest standards of objectivity, fairness, and professionalism, and we remain committed to delivering straightforward, trusted journalism.”

But many—most notably Stewart—questioned whether the network was compromising its journalistic values to protect its brand. Moran, who served as one of the network’s top national correspondents, did not mince words in his critique of Miller. In his X post, he wrote that Miller is “one of the people who conceptualizes the impulses of the Trumpist movement and translates them into policy.” He further described Miller’s actions as being driven not by intelligence, but by a deep-seated hatred: “He operates not on brains, but on bile.”

Moran’s characterization of Miller as a “world-class hater” didn’t sit well with ABC, but it resonated with many in the media world who see Miller as a central architect of the Trump administration’s most divisive policies. Moran added that Miller’s “hatreds are his spiritual nourishment,” and even went so far as to say that “he eats his hate.”

A Pattern of Appeasing Trump?

Stewart wasn’t the only one raising questions about the firing. The Daily Show host pointed to a troubling trend at ABC News, claiming that the network’s decision to cut ties with Moran was yet another example of their willingness to “bend the knee” to Trump’s influence. Stewart’s fiery commentary was particularly pointed in light of ABC’s previous legal settlement with Trump.

Referring to ABC’s $15 million settlement with Trump over controversial comments made by anchor George Stephanopoulos, Stewart said, “They shouldn’t have paid the $15 million.” He argued that the network was willing to settle with Trump over an off-hand comment, but fired a respected reporter for speaking out against the former president’s Chief of Staff.

Stewart’s critique of the network’s handling of the Moran situation didn’t stop there. He pointed out that every day, networks like Fox News take things out of context, and their hosts regularly make vicious attacks against Democratic politicians without facing repercussions. “Literally, every day on Fox News, they’re taking stuff out of context or their people are saying utterly vicious things about Democratic politicians and all kinds of other things,” Stewart remarked.

This, according to Stewart, highlights the hypocrisy at play. While ABC News claims to be upholding standards of objectivity, they appear to be kowtowing to Trump’s political influence. For Stewart, the firing of Moran represents not just a personal injustice but a troubling trend in the media industry as a whole.

A Personal Setback for Moran

Terry Moran’s firing is not just a career setback—it’s a blow to the integrity of independent journalism. Having served as ABC News’ senior national correspondent for nearly three decades, Moran was a trusted voice who covered some of the most significant events in American history. His decision to speak out on X about Miller wasn’t just an opinion—it was an honest assessment of the political landscape, and one that he was entitled to make.

Since his departure from ABC, Moran has vowed to continue his work as a journalist. He has announced that he will be launching his own Substack channel, where he will continue to offer his unique perspective on current events without the restrictions of corporate media. His move to Substack is a sign of the shifting landscape of journalism, where reporters are increasingly turning to independent platforms to share their views and build direct connections with their audiences.

Moran’s decision to step away from ABC News may be his personal setback, but it is also indicative of a broader shift in the industry. Journalists are no longer relying on traditional networks to build their careers—they are finding new ways to reach the public, and to do so without fear of retribution for speaking the truth.

Stewart’s Call to Action

In the face of Moran’s firing, Stewart’s words serve as both a critique and a call to action. He’s asking his audience—and the broader public—to consider the bigger picture: What does it say about the media landscape when a trusted journalist is fired for expressing an opinion that many people agree with?

As for Moran, his future remains bright. His time at ABC News may be over, but his voice is far from silenced. Through his new Substack venture, he will continue to challenge the status quo, providing his audience with the insight and analysis that made him a household name.

The larger conversation, however, remains one of accountability and transparency. If ABC News truly values “straightforward, trusted journalism,” then why are they punishing the very reporters who speak truth to power? Moran’s firing may be the latest chapter in this ongoing battle, but it certainly won’t be the last.

Stay tuned as this story continues to unfold and new revelations about the media’s handling of truth and power come to light. Will Terry Moran be the last journalist silenced for speaking out, or is this just the beginning of a wider reckoning? Only time will tell.