In a media firestorm unfolding in real time, ABC News anchor Michael Trent has been suspended indefinitely after a controversial comment he posted — and then quickly deleted — was exposed by Karoline Leavitt, a rising conservative political figure and former Trump campaign official.
The incident began late Wednesday night when Leavitt shared a screenshot of a now-deleted post from Trent’s private social media account. The post, which many are calling inflammatory and politically biased, appeared to mock Leavitt’s recent speech at a youth conservative summit.
The comment, captured before deletion, immediately drew backlash from Leavitt and her supporters, who accused the anchor of unprofessionalism, political bias, and targeting a young woman in politics with what they described as a condescending, sexist remark.
By Thursday morning, #FireMichaelTrent was trending across multiple platforms, with critics from both sides of the political spectrum calling out the anchor’s lapse in judgment. Some questioned how a journalist in such a prominent role could think a private post would remain unseen, while others praised Leavitt for holding the media accountable.
A Pattern or a One-Off?
Trent, 49, has been a staple of ABC’s prime-time lineup for nearly a decade. Known for his polished delivery and tough interviews, he was often regarded as one of the network’s more neutral voices — until now.
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