There is reportedly a power struggle on the set of ‘This Week with George Stephanopoulos’ between the namesake of the ABC News show and another host.
The two journalists, Stephanopoulos and Jonathan Karl, would secretly fight it out behind the scenes.
Insiders spoke about the feud Page sixand says it’s around the top spot on the ‘This Week’ desk.
Karl, who is also ABC News’ chief correspondent in Washington, reportedly wants the job currently held by Stephanopoulos in an effort to capitalize on the recent turmoil surrounding the lead anchor.
Stephanopoulos, 63, is already rumored to be clashing with fellow veteran David Muir and is being closely watched for on-air comments.
Last month, the words of ABC stalwart forced the Disney network to pass on more than $16 million to Donald Trump — after he falsely claimed the president-elect was “liable for rape” against writer E. Jean Carroll March instead of for sexual abuse.
This oversight paved the way for a costly settlement, all in the wake of a one-sided election.
As a result, former Clinton aide Stephanopoulos — who began his 22-year “This Week” career as an analyst — has been left “apoplectic” and “humiliated.” Insiders said Tuesday that Karl, one of Stephanopoulos’ two co-hosts, sees it as an opportunity.
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A power struggle is brewing on the set of ‘This Week with George Stephanopoulos’ – between the presenter himself and co-host Jonathan Karl
Stephanopoulos, 63, is already rumored to be clashing with fellow veteran David Muir — I saw her on the set of World News Tonight — and has come under scrutiny for on-air comments
“He wants the show, and he sees it [the Trump settlement] as an opportunity,” a person familiar with the matter told the New York Post entertainment department.
“In Jon’s mind, he wants George gone so it’s just him and Martha,” the person added, referring to This Week’s third co-host, Martha Raddatz.
Another person who wished to remain anonymous added: “Martha? Jon wants the show for himself!
‘The bank has been ready for use for years.
‘[The attitude has been] when is [Stephanopoulos] I’m going to step aside, and why are there three hosts for one show?’ the insider continued, as Stephanopoulo’s main gig at ABC remains his co-anchoring spot on Good Morning America.
He has been there since 2009, and last month ABC confirmed messages the anchor had signed a new, multi-year deal.
Sources said Puk at the time the deal was made with a pay cut and the possibility that his role could be reduced.
Previously, the news personality took home $20-25 million per year. Now he will rake in more than $65 million in four years, which amounts to about $15 to $18 million a year, insiders say. The cover.
“He wants the show, and he sees it [the Trump settlement] as an opportunity,” a person familiar with the matter told Page Six of Karl
Last month, the words of ABC stalwart forced the Disney network to pass on more than $16 million to Donald Trump — after he falsely claimed the president-elect was “liable for rape” against writer E. Jean Carroll March instead of for sexual abuse.
“In Jon’s mind he wants George gone so it’s just him and Martha,” the person added, referring to this week’s third co-host, Martha Raddatz
Moreover, Stephanopoulos has seen his circle at the station shrink in recent years, insiders claimed on Page Six – painting a picture of a man with far fewer allies than before.
An egg left on his face by the Carrol broadcast has only made matters worse, with the incident reportedly infuriating fellow staffers.
‘Because of the attention [brought by the settlement]… It makes it difficult for anyone to do their job,” according to “several” insiders interviewed by the outlet.
One of the sources – the one who said Karl sees the situation as an opportunity to make progress – said Stephanopoulos’ reputation has been tarnished, making him a prime target.
“There are people who want George replaced, and it’s hard for him to put on a political show right now,” they said, as Washington continues to emerge as the world’s biggest news story.
“His greatest strength is politics, but how is he going to cover Donald Trump?” the source asked out loud.
Another source said of the old star’s situation at the station: ‘His circle of trust is so small, and many of them don’t work [at ABC anymore].’
Someone else has recently noticed a reduction in This Week appearances from the presenter, who they said now only appears on the show once a month, after ‘working seven days a week for years’.
Another insider pointed to the long-time presenter’s recent reduction in appearances on This Week, saying he now only appears on the show once a month. Sources previously told Puck that he had agreed to a deal in December that came with a pay cut and the possibility that his role would be reduced
Trump’s lawyers accused Stephanopoulos of making the statements with “malice” and disregard for the truth
At the same time, Stephanopoulos’s long-standing rivalry with Muir — one of two ABC staffers who hosted the most recent presidential debate — has “created a headache for the network’s bosses,” others wrote in the Christmas edition of the Status newsletter.
“There has certainly been some historic tension – to say the least,” one source said, before shedding light on what is happening behind the scenes.
“Viewers may notice that in recent years Stephanopoulos has been absent from politically focused special coverage such as Election Night.
“Those tasks now fall entirely under the responsibility of David Muir.”
This comes after several experts, including a former adviser to the president-elect, said ABC News should expect some retaliation from the new administration after the way Muir and fellow moderator Linsey Davis handled their questions.
Many portrayed the couple’s achievements as biased, including prominent political consultant Sam Nunberg.
“I wouldn’t want to be Disney,” the former Trump aide told Tara Palmeri on her podcast in September, before Trump was elected. “Disney sucks after that debate… They absolutely suck.
“And Bob Iger will really have a lot of say if Trump becomes president,” he continued about the company’s celebrity CEO.
Meanwhile, Muir and Linsey Davis, who moderated the presidential debate in September, have been criticized for their actions, with some calling it biased. Muir has reportedly been in contact with Stephanopoulos for over a decade
After Trump was elected, ABC parent company Disney – led by Bob Iger – decided to settle Trump’s defamation case, losing $16 million.
An ABC spokesperson, meanwhile, dismissed the idea that Karl has plans to take over Stephanopoulos, saying in a statement: “It is not true. They have a friendly and mutually respectful relationship.”
‘[He] will have to explain a lot to the shareholders how he allowed that to happen [David] Muir and the other person – Linsey Davis – Muir and Davis’.
‘[Their performance] was absolutely disgusting.”
The prediction proved prophetic in that Walt Disney Co. would then settle the defamation lawsuit then brought by the now president-elect, sending Stephanopoulos into a panic.
“It’s another punch. The sheer shame — people are outraged,” one employee told the Post last month, following a wave of layoffs
The network’s decision to branch out comes as it prepares for a second Trump presidency, and as other channels, publications and even social media platforms change their strategies as a result.
An ABC spokesperson, meanwhile, dismissed the idea that Karl has plans to take over Stephanopoulos, saying in a statement: “It is not true. They have a friendly and mutually respectful relationship.”