Criticism poured in almost immediately after the debate aired. Trump supporters accused Muir of unfairly cutting off the former president, while Harris’s backers slammed him for allowing Trump to steamroll through certain segments. It didn’t help that Muir, attempting to rein in the candidates, often appeared flustered on camera, a stark contrast to his usually calm, composed demeanor. As one viewer tweeted, “David Muir looked like he’d rather be trapped in a burning building than moderating that debate.”
ABC, already facing backlash over the debate’s outcome, was reportedly less than thrilled with how Muir handled the event. The network had banked on Muir’s reputation as a steady, reliable figure in the news industry to steer the debate, but instead, they got a moderator who looked more like he was caught in the middle of a verbal ping-pong match.
David Muir’s firing is a stunning fall from grace for a journalist who had long been regarded as ABC’s golden boy. For years, Muir had helmed World News Tonight with authority, regularly bringing in high ratings and often topping his competitors at NBC and CBS. His on-camera charisma, sharp reporting, and flawless hair made him a household name.
But even a news anchor as polished as Muir couldn’t escape the ever-shifting tides of media scrutiny. The presidential debate seemed to be the final straw for ABC executives, who, according to insiders, were eager to distance themselves from the controversy. “David was the face of our network, but the debate fallout was something we couldn’t ignore,” said one anonymous ABC executive. “When both sides are calling for your head, it’s hard to justify keeping someone in that position.”
