ABC News suspended a longtime reporter after he criticized the network in a secret recording by the right-wing Project Veritas, CNN reports.
"Any action that damages our reputation for fairness and impartiality or gives the appearance of compromising it harms ABC News and the individuals involved," an ABC News spokesperson said Wednesday, announcing that correspondent David Wright had "been suspended, and to avoid any possible appearance of bias, he will be reassigned away from political coverage when he returns."
It’s unclear when Wright’s suspension will end. He has been at the network since 2000.
Wright hit out at Trump in the recording:
Wright criticized Trump in the recording, calling him a “dick” and comparing him to a “nightmare spouse.”
"We don't hold [Trump] to account," Wright said. "We also don't give him credit for the things he does do."
Asked by someone what his political ideology was, Wright replied that he’s a socialist.
"I would consider myself a socialist, like I think there should be national health insurance," he said. "I’m totally fine with reining in corporations, I think they’re too many billionaires, and I think there’s a wealth gap – that’s a problem.”
Wright also criticized ABC:
"You can't watch 'Good Morning America' without there being a Disney princess or a Marvel avenger appearing," Wright complained.
“I feel terrible about it. I feel that the truth suffers, the voters are poorly informed, and people also have the opportunity to tune into whatever they want to hear,” he said. “And so, it’s like there’s no upside, or our bosses don’t see an upside in doing the job we’re supposed to do, which is to speak truth to power and hold people accountable.”
