The ongoing power struggle among ABC News anchors has grown fiercer as Jonathan Karl is reportedly trying to secure the leading role on “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.” This represents another challenge for the Disney-owned network, which is grappling with recent controversies and changes in the media landscape.
The tension was exacerbated by a $16 million settlement that Disney, ABC’s parent company, paid to Donald Trump. This came after Stephanopoulos mistakenly stated on air that the president-elect was “liable for rape” against writer E. Jean Carroll in March, rather than sexual abuse. The swift settlement, especially following significant layoffs at ABC News, has caused industry-wide speculation.
“It’s another gut punch. The sheer level of embarrassment—people are furious,” a staff member disclosed to Page Six, describing the internal response to the settlement.
“He wants the show, and he sees [the Trump settlement] as an opportunity,” another insider shared. “In Jon’s mind, he wants George gone, so it’s just him and Martha,” referring to Martha Raddatz, the show’s third co-host. Another source stated, “Martha? Jon wants the show for himself! The bench has been ready to go for years.”
These occurrences have left Stephanopoulos, aged 63, both upset and deeply humiliated. His support system within the network has been declining over the years, with many of his trusted colleagues leaving ABC. The anchor’s presence on “This Week” has significantly decreased, as he now appears roughly once a month, a departure from his previous daily schedule.
This comes at an inopportune time for Stephanopoulos, who recently signed a new multi-year contract with ABC that included a substantial pay cut. According to sources who spoke to The Wrap, his yearly salary fell from $20-25 million to $15-18 million in the new four-year contract, amounting to over $65 million. The deal is said to involve a potential downsizing of his role at the network.
An insider revealed that several individuals at the network are seeking to replace Stephanopoulos, noting that his present circumstances make hosting a political show particularly difficult. The source highlighted that while Stephanopoulos has traditionally excelled in political coverage, his effectiveness in covering Donald Trump has been seriously questioned.
The strain extends beyond Karl and Stephanopoulos. Information indicates that Stephanopoulos has been in disagreement with fellow ABC veteran David Muir, causing “headaches for the network’s bosses.” This discord has led to Stephanopoulos’ notable absence from politics-focused special coverage, including on election night, with those duties now handed over to Muir.
The network is also under strain following criticism of Muir and fellow moderator Linsey Davis’ handling of the recent presidential debate. Sam Nunberg, a former Trump advisor, issued a harsh prediction about ABC’s future, stating that Disney was (expletive) after the debate. At the time, he reinforced his evaluation, stressing that Disney CEO Bob Iger would face severe accountability to shareholders over Muir and Davis’ debate performance if Trump became president.
ABC News has strongly refuted all reports of discord among the anchors. In an official statement, the network dismissed the claims, asserting that Stephanopoulos and Karl maintain a friendly and professionally respectful working relationship.
The Sunday morning news program continues to perform well in ratings, averaging 2.453 million viewers and 401,000 adults aged 25-54 on January 5, 2025. Season-to-date, “This Week” leads NBC’s “Meet the Press” by 57,000 viewers, marking its fourth consecutive season ahead of its longtime rival.
Karl, ABC News’ chief Washington correspondent, has an impressive track record that adds weight to his potential bid for the show’s top spot. He has covered U.S. politics, foreign policy, and the military from over 30 countries, earning prestigious awards, including the Walter Cronkite Award and the National Press Foundation’s Everett McKinley Dirksen Award. Karl is also the author of two New York Times bestsellers about the Trump presidency, “Front Row at the Trump Show” and “Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show.”