David Muir’s firing is a stunning fall from grace for a journalist who had long been regarded as ABC’s golden boy. For years, Muir had helmed World News Tonight with authority, regularly bringing in high ratings and often topping his competitors at NBC and CBS. His on-camera charisma, sharp reporting, and flawless hair made him a household name.

But even a news anchor as polished as Muir couldn’t escape the ever-shifting tides of media scrutiny. The presidential debate seemed to be the final straw for ABC executives, who, according to insiders, were eager to distance themselves from the controversy. “David was the face of our network, but the debate fallout was something we couldn’t ignore,” said one anonymous ABC executive. “When both sides are calling for your head, it’s hard to justify keeping someone in that position.”

Sources close to the situation suggest that Muir wasn’t given much notice before the ax came down. One insider reported that Muir was “blindsided” by the decision and believed he would weather the storm. “David thought he had the full support of the network,” the source said. “He had no idea this was coming.”

So, what does one of America’s most well-known journalists do after being unceremoniously dumped by his network? As of now, Muir’s next move remains unclear, but speculation is already running rampant.

One rumor suggests Muir might make a dramatic pivot and launch his own news channel. After all, in the age of streaming, plenty of big-name journalists have found success going independent. Another theory floating around is that he may team up with Elon Musk and take his news talents to Musk’s recently rebranded social media platform, X. Imagine: Muir on X—a daily, unfiltered take on the news, free from the constraints of traditional media.