In a shocking turn of events that has left the media world reeling, David Muir, the anchor of ABC’s flagship news program World News Tonight, has reportedly been fired by ABC. Once a golden boy of the network, Muir has now found himself out of a job and, as some insiders suggest, struggling to figure out what to do next. The news came with little warning, sending waves of disbelief through ABC’s corridors and igniting speculation across the industry.

As for the reason behind Muir’s sudden dismissal? That’s where things get juicy. Insiders claim it all went down after the recent presidential debate, which saw Muir facing intense criticism for his handling of the event. With both sides of the political spectrum accusing him of bias, and social media being unforgiving as usual, it seems ABC decided it was time to cut ties with their longtime anchor. But how does one of the most recognizable faces in American journalism go from top-of-the-world to jobless in the blink of an eye?

The writing may have been on the wall for David Muir after his disastrous moderation of the 2024 presidential debate. With tensions already running high between the two candidates—Donald Trump and Kamala Harris—Muir found himself in the unenviable position of trying to maintain order. However, things didn’t go according to plan. Both candidates frequently interrupted each other, fact-checks came flying from all directions, and viewers were left feeling like they had tuned into a chaotic reality show instead of a political debate.

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.”

Sources close to the situation suggest that Muir wasn’t given much notice before the ax came down. One insider reported that Muir was “blindsided” by the decision and believed he would weather the storm. “David thought he had the full support of the network,” the source said. “He had no idea this was coming.”

So, what does one of America’s most well-known journalists do after being unceremoniously dumped by his network? As of now, Muir’s next move remains unclear, but speculation is already running rampant.

One rumor suggests Muir might make a dramatic pivot and launch his own news channel. After all, in the age of streaming, plenty of big-name journalists have found success going independent. Another theory floating around is that he may team up with Elon Musk and take his news talents to Musk’s recently rebranded social media platform, X. Imagine: Muir on X—a daily, unfiltered take on the news, free from the constraints of traditional media.

Others think Muir might retreat from the limelight altogether and take some much-needed time off. After all, moderating a presidential debate that nearly derailed your career can take a toll on anyone. “David might just disappear for a while,” said a close friend of Muir’s. “He’s been doing this for so long; maybe it’s time for him to reassess what he wants out of life. Maybe even grow a beard and write a book.”

David Muir’s sudden firing has sent shockwaves through the media industry, with journalists and anchors from all networks weighing in. Some of Muir’s colleagues have expressed disbelief at ABC’s decision, with several high-profile anchors taking to Twitter to defend their fellow newsman.

“David Muir is one of the finest journalists of our generation,” tweeted Lester Holt from NBC. “His firing is a loss for American journalism.”

Meanwhile, Anderson Cooper of CNN tweeted, “David Muir deserved better. To let him go over one debate is ridiculous.”

But not everyone is shedding tears over Muir’s departure. Some political commentators, particularly those on the right, have welcomed the news. “Muir was biased from the start,” said a conservative pundit on a popular talk show. “ABC is better off without him.”

As the news continues to spread, one thing is clear: Muir’s exit marks the end of an era for ABC, and the network will have to work hard to fill the gaping hole left by its once-unshakable news anchor.

In the wake of the firing, ABC has been in full damage-control mode. The network released a brief statement acknowledging Muir’s departure but offered little in the way of explanation. “David Muir has been a valued member of the ABC family for many years, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors,” the statement read. “We remain committed to providing our viewers with unbiased, fact-driven journalism.”

However, the lack of details surrounding Muir’s firing has only fueled more speculation about the real reasons behind his ousting. Some believe that ABC is simply trying to sweep the whole mess under the rug and move on, while others think the network is bracing for further fallout.

With Muir out of the picture, ABC now faces the daunting task of finding someone to take his place. Rumors are already swirling about who could step up to the anchor desk at World News Tonight. Some names being floated include Cecilia Vega, who has been making waves with her hard-hitting reporting, and Juju Chang, who has been a rising star within the network for years.

Whoever takes the reins, they’ll have big shoes to fill—and an audience that’s likely still reeling from the sudden departure of one of TV’s most familiar faces.

As for David Muir? Whether he decides to launch his own news empire, team up with Elon Musk, or simply fade into the background for a while, one thing is certain: America’s most beloved news anchor won’t stay jobless for long.