Tension is running high at ABC News, with insiders revealing growing resentment toward Good Morning America (GMA) hosts Robin Roberts, Michael Strahan, 

and George Stephanopoulos. Amid network-wide layoffs and budget concerns, these top anchors—who earn multimillion-dollar salaries—

are reportedly facing increasing frustration from colleagues. 

At the same time, rumors are swirling that ABC News could see additional staff cuts, further shaking up the already tense newsroom environment.

Resentment Toward GMA Hosts Reaches New Heights

While Good Morning America has long been one of ABC’s flagship programs, sources claim that Roberts, Strahan, 

and Stephanopoulos are no longer as beloved behind the scenes as they once were. According to reports, their massive paychecks have sparked significant frustration among staffers, particularly in light of recent cost-cutting measures that have left many producers struggling with heavier workloads.

One inside source shared that morale has taken a hit as producers now find themselves handling the responsibilities of multiple people without any increase in compensation. “Now producers are doing the work of two people… with one paycheck,” the source explained, highlighting the widening gap between high-paid talent and overworked employees.

Adding fuel to the fire, ABC’s handling of a high-profile defamation lawsuit involving George Stephanopoulos has only intensified staff discontent. The network recently paid $15 million toward former President Donald Trump’s presidential library as part of a settlement over Stephanopoulos’ on-air assertion that Trump was found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll. Some within the company feel that this hefty payout could have been used to retain essential staff members rather than cover the cost of a host’s legal misstep.

“People who have contracts coming up are being offered a measly two percent raise… while ABC pays out a Stephanopoulos mistake and keeps the anchor salaries at astronomical numbers,” another insider remarked.

GMA Ratings Slump Adds to Frustration

While resentment toward high-profile anchors is not uncommon in network news, some of the frustration reportedly stems from GMA’s struggle to maintain its top ratings spot. The show currently lags behind NBC’s Today, raising questions about whether ABC’s investment in its biggest stars is still paying off.

According to one disgruntled staffer, “While the rest of us suffer, (the GMA anchors) are all so well paid. Two of them (Roberts and Strahan) only work four days a week and have insane vacation days. It’s like they’re still living in 2020 while the rest of us reap the consequences—and they’re not even number one anymore.”

Meanwhile, Stephanopoulos has reportedly been focused on his side ventures within ABC, particularly his and his wife Ali Wentworth’s production company. Their recent documentary projects, including Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields and a Bruce Springsteen feature, have been well-received. While some insiders suggest that Stephanopoulos is more invested in these projects than GMA, others argue that he remains fully committed to the morning show.

“George is passionate about his production and documentary units—he cares about those projects, but he also cares about GMA. He’s all in,” an insider countered.

Potential ABC News Layoffs on the Horizon

In addition to tensions surrounding GMA, rumors are circulating that ABC News may soon make further staff cuts. One possibility being discussed is the consolidation of the GMA3 team with the main GMA staff, which could result in significant layoffs.

While these potential cuts have not been officially confirmed, an insider acknowledged that uncertainty looms over the network. “Yes, people are frustrated, but nowhere has it been confirmed that (more) layoffs are coming. Layoffs could always be looming in the media industry right now, every network is going through that.”

ABC is not alone in facing financial strain. Other major networks, including NBC, CBS, and CNN, have also announced layoffs as they struggle to adapt to changing viewer habits and increased competition from digital platforms.

Network Competition Heats Up

While ABC grapples with internal turmoil, other networks are making strategic moves to stay competitive. Fox News remains a dominant force, with The Five recently surpassing CBS Evening News in viewership. Meanwhile, NewsNation—a relative newcomer—has been steadily climbing the ranks, even beating MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell in the key demographic at noon on multiple occasions.

With shifting viewer preferences and increasing pressure on traditional broadcast networks, ABC News will need to navigate these challenges carefully. Whether the resentment toward GMA hosts will lead to changes in the morning show’s lineup or broader structural shifts within the network remains to be seen.

For now, tensions remain high at ABC, and with potential layoffs still a looming threat, the situation is unlikely to settle anytime soon.

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