# Terry Moran on Getting Fired by ABC News, Interviewing Donald Trump, and Taylor Swift vs Kanye West Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hLTLzL0dBs Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/4hLTLzL0dBs Generated: 2025-11-27T14:32:48.714+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Terry Moran recounts being fired from ABC News in 2018 after he tweeted a remark about Kanye West being a "jackass" while interviewing then-President Barack Obama in the mid-1980s, an event he now recognizes as a significant turning point that led to the subsequent decline in journalistic integrity. **Key Points:** - Terry Moran first met his interviewee, Terry, in the mid-1980s while both were at The St. Petersburg Times in Washington, D.C., working for both the New Republic and Legal Times. - Moran was fired from ABC News in 2018 after tweeting that Kanye West (who had recently grabbed the microphone from Taylor Swift) was a "jackass" the day after interviewing President Obama about the threat to democracy posed by Trump. - Moran's tweet caused internal turmoil, leading his boss, Jeff Zucker (then at CNN), to call and tell him to take the tweet down, which he refused to do, resulting in his firing within 24 hours. - Moran notes that the journalists covering the 2016 election, like Peter Jennings, Ted Koppel, and Diane Sawyer, had immense power and authority that is now diminished in the current media landscape. - He contrasts the past media environment where journalists were powerful and respected with the present, where corporate media's business model is failing and many reporters are afraid to challenge figures like Trump. - Moran mentions his father, Bob Aiger, was the first on-budget man at the Washington Post in the 1960s/70s and was deeply admired, contrasting this with the current environment where factual reporting is often seen as partisan. - The discussion concludes with Moran suggesting that the challenge now is finding ways to maintain journalistic integrity and common sense when the primary goal seems to be engaging audiences through highly polarized or sensational content. ![Screenshot at 00:01: 10:Terry Moran recalls being fired from ABC News after tweeting a remark about Kanye West, which he felt was an accurate description of the situation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/4hLTLzL0dBs/00-00-01.png) **Context:** Terry Moran, a journalist, recounts his career experiences, specifically focusing on a pivotal moment involving a tweet about Kanye West that led to his termination from ABC News. The conversation draws parallels between the perceived journalistic integrity of past eras, such as the 1960s and 70s, and the current media environment, which he suggests is increasingly polarized and commercially driven. ## Detailed Analysis Terry Moran recounts meeting his interviewee, Terry, in the mid-1980s when they both worked at The St. Petersburg Times in Washington, D.C., and also mentions working for the New Republic and Legal Times. Moran then details the incident that led to his firing from ABC News in 2018: he tweeted that Kanye West was a 'jackass' after West interrupted Taylor Swift at an awards show. This tweet was sent the day after Moran interviewed President Obama about the threat to democracy posed by Trump. His then-boss at CNN, Jeff Zucker, called and demanded the tweet be removed, which Moran refused, resulting in his firing within 24 hours. Moran contrasts the powerful, respected journalism of figures like Peter Jennings and Diane Sawyer in the past with the current media landscape, where he believes the business model is collapsing, and many journalists fear challenging powerful figures like Trump. He notes that his father, Bob Aiger, was a highly respected on-budget man at the Washington Post in the 60s and 70s. Moran emphasizes that while his father's work was seen as factual, current reporting often faces accusations of partisan bias. He concludes that the current challenge is maintaining journalistic integrity when the environment rewards sensationalism, like the "fire bell in the night" analogy he used regarding Trump's rhetoric. ### Career Retrospective - Moran met Terry in the mid-1980s at St. Petersburg Times in D.C., also working for New Republic and Legal Times - Moran's father, Bob Aiger, was a respected on-budget man at the Washington Post in the 60s/70s - Moran had a successful career in broadcast journalism that was ultimately cut short. ### The Firing Incident - Moran tweeted calling Kanye West a 'jackass' after the Taylor Swift microphone incident - This happened the day after he interviewed President Obama about the threat to democracy posed by Trump's rhetoric - Jeff Zucker (then at CNN) demanded the tweet be removed, but Moran refused, leading to his firing within 24 hours. ### Media Environment Comparison - Journalists like Peter Jennings and Diane Sawyer wielded immense power in the past - Today, the corporate media model is breaking down, and reporters fear challenging powerful figures like Trump - The current environment rewards sensationalism and outrage over balanced reporting. ### Current Challenges - Moran believes the fundamental challenge is maintaining credibility and factual reporting when the incentive structure rewards partisan attacks and outrage. ### Final Thoughts - Moran hopes for a future where people seek reliable reporting and that the current political climate does not permanently damage the ability of journalists to challenge power. ![Screenshot at 00:01: 10:Terry Moran begins discussing the incident that led to his firing from ABC News after tweeting about Kanye West.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/4hLTLzL0dBs/00-00-01.png) ![Screenshot at 00:35: 40:Terry Moran and the interviewer smile and share a moment of camaraderie after discussing the firing incident.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/4hLTLzL0dBs/00-00-35.png) ![Screenshot at 00:58: 58:The interviewee covers his face in mock despair/frustration after Moran recounts the consequences of his tweet.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/4hLTLzL0dBs/00-00-58.png) ![Screenshot at 02:04: 23:The interviewee expresses strong feelings about the media landscape, gesturing widely while speaking.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/4hLTLzL0dBs/00-02-04.png) ![Screenshot at 03:40: The interviewee emphasizes a point about the political climate, using hand gestures to illustrate his statement.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/4hLTLzL0dBs/00-03-40.png)