“This Isn’t Journalism—It’s Fear”: Jon Stewart Eviscerates ABC Over Firing of Terry Moran in a Scathing On-Air Rant

“You fired Terry Moran over Stephen Miller? That’s not journalism. That’s corporate cowardice.” — Jon Stewart, July 2025

In a jaw-dropping segment that is now being clipped, quoted, and dissected across the media world, Jon Stewart delivered what may be the most scathing indictment of mainstream journalism in years. On the latest episode of The Weekly Show, Stewart lashed out at ABC News for what he called the “cowardly and absurd” firing of veteran correspondent Terry Moran, who was dismissed after calling former President Donald Trump and adviser Stephen Miller “world-class haters” and “dangerous to democracy” in a since-deleted social media post.

“ABC’s pretending it lives in some neutral bubble,” Stewart snapped. “You’re not neutral. You’re scared. And everyone can see it.”

This wasn’t a monologue. This was a war cry.

The Firing Heard Across Newsrooms

Terry Moran, a respected journalist with more than two decades at ABC, wasn’t fired for fabricating a story or violating journalistic ethics in the field. He was fired for a tweet. A sentence. A moment of honest outrage about two political figures whose rhetoric has shaped the modern Republican Party—and whom Moran openly criticized.

ABC News cited a breach of its impartiality guidelines. But to journalists across the political spectrum, that explanation rang hollow. The move has triggered an existential crisis across America’s newsrooms.

“He was one of the few still doing the job the right way,” said one ABC producer who requested anonymity. “Now we’re all wondering: If Terry can go down, who’s safe?”

Jon Stewart’s Fury: “What the F— Are You Doing?”

Stewart didn’t hold back.

“You fired a journalist for criticizing Stephen Miller?” he said, visibly incredulous. “You let Terry Moran go, while networks run entire panels built around fear-mongering and half-truths every night of the week? That’s not impartiality—that’s surrender.”

The comedian-turned-media-watchdog tore into what he called the “corporate infection of journalism,” where fear of losing political access or facing advertiser backlash now trumps truth-telling.

And Stewart wasn’t alone. Across Twitter, broadcast segments, and op-ed columns, a chorus of journalists and media scholars began echoing his alarm.

“Who Is Really Calling the Shots?”

The real question, Stewart argued, isn’t about Terry Moran’s tweet. It’s about who has power over the press—and how much corporate media is willing to sacrifice to keep it.

“If someone like Moran can be fired for telling the truth, then maybe journalism is no longer about truth. Maybe it’s about access. Maybe it’s about appeasement.”

It’s a chilling thought—and one many in the industry are now grappling with.

The Fallout Inside ABC News

Inside the ABC Washington bureau, the mood has been described as “shell-shocked.” Sources say the decision was handed down with no warning. Moran was out the door within hours of the post going viral.

Multiple journalists reportedly confronted leadership, demanding clarity about where the line is drawn between free speech and policy violation. No clear answers have been given. Instead, the network issued a sterile statement citing “a breach of professional standards.”

It wasn’t enough.

Journalism on Trial

Stewart’s commentary struck a nerve because it pointed to something deeper: a slow erosion of trust—not just in the media, but within it. When respected journalists are punished for their opinions while inflammatory partisanship elsewhere is rewarded, the message becomes clear:

Say the wrong thing, and you’re expendable.

Public Backlash Mounts

An online petition calling for Moran’s reinstatement gathered over 180,000 signatures within days. Media figures like Dan Rather, Soledad O’Brien, and Jemele Hill issued statements supporting him. Even some former Trump-critical voices in conservative media began questioning ABC’s overreach.

“This isn’t about left or right,” Hill wrote. “It’s about whether journalists are allowed to speak honestly about democracy without corporate gatekeepers pulling the plug.”

The ABC Dilemma: Silence or Reckoning?

So far, ABC News has refused to go beyond its initial vague statement. But observers say silence may no longer be a sustainable strategy.

The network faces two choices:

• Double down on its version of “impartiality,” risking internal revolt and loss of public trust.
• Or own the moment, admit the mistake, and reinstate Moran—or at least explain the rationale in full transparency.

For now, ABC is choosing silence. And Stewart is making sure that silence sounds deafening.

“This Is Journalism’s Inflection Point”

In his final remarks, Stewart issued a grave warning.

“You don’t get to wave the banner of free press and then fire someone for speaking freely. That’s not just hypocritical—it’s lethal to journalism.”

As the fallout continues, it’s clear that this isn’t just about Terry Moran. It’s about every journalist looking over their shoulder. Every newsroom weighing truth against risk. Every media outlet deciding whether to stand for something—or stand down.

The question Stewart leaves us with isn’t subtle. It’s existential:

“If journalism becomes afraid of power, then who’s left to hold power accountable?”