ABC’s “Good Morning America” host George Stephanopoulos has found himself in hot water after being forced to apologize for a recent controversy involving President Trump. This has led to speculation among network insiders about his future on the show.
Stephanopoulos came under fire for mistakenly stating on-air that Trump was “found liable for rape” instead of sexual abuse in a lawsuit by journalist E. Jean Carroll. As part of a settlement between Disney and Trump, Stephanopoulos was required to issue an apology, which has reportedly left him feeling “emasculated” and isolated.
Sources within the network have suggested that Stephanopoulos may be on his way out, with one insider even referring to him as a “dead man walking.” While he could potentially take on a lower-profile role within the network, there is speculation about who might replace him on “GMA.”
One potential candidate is Robin Roberts, who is said to wield significant influence at the network. She is rumored to be pushing for her friend and “GMA” weekend anchor Gio Benitez to take over Stephanopoulos’ role. Benitez has been praised by insiders as a possible replacement, with some even likening him to the new George of the show.
Another name that has surfaced as a potential replacement is Will Reeve, an ABC News correspondent and the son of the late actor Christopher Reeve. NBC’s Willie Geist has also been mentioned in the rumor mill as a possible contender.
Despite Disney recently renewing Stephanopoulos’ contract, there is a possibility that he could still be moved out of his current position on “GMA.” The network may opt to stick with Roberts and Michael Strahan as the main anchors, potentially bringing in a newsreader type with a lower salary to round out the team.
The future of “Good Morning America” remains uncertain as the show continues to lag behind NBC’s “Today” in viewership. With ratings on the decline, the network may be considering a shakeup in its lineup to attract more viewers and stay competitive in the morning show landscape.
