The allegedly frosty interactions between Stephanopoulos and Roberts have turned heads both inside and outside the network. According to reports, Stephanopoulos frequently engages with his phone, playing chess during times he could be interacting with Roberts, hinting at the alleged rift between them.
An insider noted the overt change in Stephanopoulos's behavior on set, with the veteran anchor often seeming disengaged from his co-host during off-air moments.
ABC's culture itself also added fuel to the fire, as some publications have described it as 'secretive and cold,' creating a backdrop for such rifts to potentially develop.
ABC News Spokesperson Dismisses Feud Rumors
An ABC News spokesperson responded to these rumors by dismissing the allegations of a feud as "unfounded, ridiculous gossip designed to get clicks and nothing more." The dismissive statement suggests a disconnect between public perception and the internal view of network officials.
Despite official denials, the story of discord has parallels with claims involving another ABC News personality, David Muir. Reports suggest Stephanopoulos has shown interest in ensuring parity in treatment and perks between himself and Muir, particularly concerning accommodations at ABC's new facilities.
A source expressed that Stephanopoulos has an eye on maintaining status quo with Muir, saying "George has been interested in making sure he gets whatever David Muir gets."
Office Politics and Salary Resentment at ABC News
The competition over accommodations isn't the only source of tension at ABC. Stephanopoulos underwent an overhaul of his dressing room by the design team from Architectural Digest in 2016, showcasing the level of attention given to lead anchors.
Such perks come into sharper focus considering the purported equity issues; while main anchors have similarly sized dressing rooms in the uptown studios, rumors circulate about unequal amenities in the new downtown location. One notable feature is an ensuite bathroom in Robin's new dressing room.
Salary disparities have also bred resentment among ABC staff. With layoffs hitting the lower-paid employees hardest, salaries of star anchors such as Stephanopoulos, Roberts, and Michael Strahan, who earn multi-million dollar salaries, have drawn criticism. A source lamented, "There is a lot of resentment... but Robin is making $20 million, Michael is making $17 million and George, who gets sued for $15 million, still gets his $18 million salary."
Stephanopoulos's Recent Contract Renewal Despite On-Air Mistake
Stephanopoulos recently added to the intrigue by making an on-air blunder, incorrectly stating that a court found Donald Trump liable for raping E. Jean Carroll, while the actual verdict was for sexual abuse and defamation. This mistake led to a lawsuit that ABC settled, yet the network still renewed his contract in late 2024.
This decision to renew his contract, despite the significant error and the legal fallout, reflects his value to the network and the complexity of his public and professional persona.
Despite the swirl of rumors and reported internal tensions, Stephanopoulos's professional story at ABC continues, marked by both his enduring presence on the air and the controversies that seem to shadow it.
