The start of 2025 has brought a wave of negative attention to ABC News, with several of its prominent figures facing scrutiny and criticism. From on-air wardrobe mishaps to legal accusations and internal power struggles, the network has been navigating a turbulent news cycle.
“World News Tonight” anchor David Muir found himself at the center of a social media storm after viewers noticed clothespins used to adjust his jacket during a wildfire report. Critics, including Jack Osbourne, ridiculed Muir for seemingly prioritizing his appearance while covering the devastating California wildfires. The incident sparked widespread accusations of vanity and insensitivity.
Meanwhile, "The View" co-host Sunny Hostin faced renewed scrutiny over past comments about insurance fraud following allegations against her husband, Dr. Emmanuel Hostin. A federal lawsuit accuses Dr. Hostin of involvement in a scheme involving kickbacks and fraudulent insurance billing. The allegations contrast sharply with Hostin's previous defenses of her husband's medical practices and her own pronouncements on the severity of insurance fraud.
Adding to the network's woes, reports surfaced of internal tension surrounding George Stephanopoulos and his role on "This Week." Following a $15 million settlement between ABC News and President-elect Donald Trump over Stephanopoulos' remarks about a sexual abuse case, rumors circulated that correspondent Jonathan Karl was vying for Stephanopoulos' position. ABC News denied any friction between the two anchors.
The settlement with Trump stemmed from Stephanopoulos' repeated use of the word "rape" instead of "sexual abuse" during an interview. While initially defiant, Stephanopoulos and ABC News ultimately issued a statement of regret. The settlement drew criticism from other media outlets, with some accusing ABC of capitulating to Trump.
These recent incidents follow earlier criticism of ABC News' election coverage, particularly its handling of the Trump-Harris presidential debate. The network faced accusations of bias for its fact-checking of Trump while seemingly giving Harris a pass. This string of controversies has placed ABC News under intense scrutiny, raising questions about its journalistic practices and internal dynamics.
