Terry Moran Is Latest in the TV News–to–Substack Pipeline

Following Terry Moran’s swift departure from ABC News, former legacy media journalists who have turned to independent platforms like Substack encouraged him to follow in their footsteps. “Come on in, Terry. The water is warm,” Jim Acosta told me.

Just six weeks ago, Moran was in the Oval Office interviewing Donald Trump. But on Tuesday, ABC News cut ties with the veteran correspondent after suspending him two days prior for calling Trump and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller “world-class haters,” on social media in a post he later deleted.

“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,” an ABC News spokesperson said in a statement to Vanity Fair. “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.”

The incident allowed for MAGA to once again attack the network for perceived biases. ABC News is in a weakened position after already settling a lawsuit with the Trump administration in which it paid $15 million to Trump’s presidential library and $1 million to Trump’s attorney.

Many journalists have gone the independent route recently after departing legacy media organizations, including Acosta, Ryan Lizza, Don Lemon, Chuck Todd, and Joy Reid. Mainly, these journalists have pivoted away from reporting, focusing instead on commentary, a more intimate relationship that’s attractive to subscribers. Since his departure, Moran has added “Independent Journalist” to his X bio, as well as a link to his Substack.

After the initial publication of this story, Moran confirmed he’s going the Substack route. “I was a reporter and anchor for ABC News. And as you may have heard … I'm not there anymore,” he wrote. “I'm here with you on Substack, this amazing space, and I can't wait to get into the important work that we all have to do.”

Given this anticipated pivot into the independent media space, I had caught up with some journalists who have made the same jump. Acosta offered some advice for Moran in going independent, saying, “Don’t look back. This is the future.” The former CNN anchor also touted Substack, where he has seen much of his recent success, as “a great platform for joining the independent media revolution.” Lizza, who, after his departure from Politico, recently founded an independent publication on Substack called Telos, thinks Moran would be a “huge hit on Substack, though I’m quite sure he will have many other options as well.”

Indeed, Ben Meiselas, one of the founders of MeidasTouch, a progressive network with nearly 5 million YouTube subscribers, made a pitch to Moran to join his network in an open letter posted on Substack. “There’s a seat at the table for you, Terry,” Meiselas wrote, touting the success of the organization as well as his recent hiring of Katie Phang, who joined after her MSNBC show was canceled. “Help lead the next era of journalism—one that doesn’t flinch when democracy is under threat,” Meiselas urged.

According to Chris Cillizza, former CNN political reporter turned independent news creator, “The reality is that there has never been a better time to be on your own, making news content free of legacy media.” Cillizza, who says he is focusing on growing his YouTube presence at the moment, added that the role of an independent journalist is different from legacy media. “My advice to Terry or any other legacy media person who goes independent is this: You have spent your whole life as a buyer. People came to you with information, job offers, etc. Now you are a seller,” he said, adding, “My view is that as an independent news creator, you have to be in a lot of places at once.”

Even with the workload that comes with independent media, Cillizza argued that it’s a better place to be while legacy media is currently experiencing an “utter lack of creativity.” He added that “the solution to cable TV’s woes (outside of Fox News, of course) isn’t a new set. Or a change of venue. It’s a fundamental rethinking of what people want.” Cillizza claimed he is able to provide that as an independent journalist, and stay more nimble than legacy organizations can: “I am a little boat. I can maneuver quickly.”

Lizza told me that ABC’s decision to cut ties with Moran “sends a chilling message to reporters” at the network. “It’s more evidence that any journalist who works for a giant corporation regulated by the Trump government can no longer depend on the firewalls that for decades protected news divisions from business-side meddling.”

“Once independent media grows to a level where it’s making corporate media more nervous, they will adjust and grow a stronger spine,” Acosta added. “Until then the public will keep flocking to independent journalists who hold Trump’s feet to the fire. This is the way.”

This article was updated following Moran's announcement.