Others think Muir might retreat from the limelight altogether and take some much-needed time off. After all, moderating a presidential debate that nearly derailed your career can take a toll on anyone. “David might just disappear for a while,” said a close friend of Muir’s. “He’s been doing this for so long; maybe it’s time for him to reassess what he wants out of life. Maybe even grow a beard and write a book.”

David Muir’s sudden firing has sent shockwaves through the media industry, with journalists and anchors from all networks weighing in. Some of Muir’s colleagues have expressed disbelief at ABC’s decision, with several high-profile anchors taking to Twitter to defend their fellow newsman.

“David Muir is one of the finest journalists of our generation,” tweeted Lester Holt from NBC. “His firing is a loss for American journalism.”

Meanwhile, Anderson Cooper of CNN tweeted, “David Muir deserved better. To let him go over one debate is ridiculous.”

But not everyone is shedding tears over Muir’s departure. Some political commentators, particularly those on the right, have welcomed the news. “Muir was biased from the start,” said a conservative pundit on a popular talk show. “ABC is better off without him.”