Former ‘GMA Weekend’ Anchor Janai Norman Publicly Criticizes ABC News and Michael Strahan Months After Her Exit
Just months after leaving ABC News, former “Good Morning America Weekend” anchor Janai Norman has begun publicly scrutinizing the network where she spent years building her career, criticizing everything from Michael Strahan’s interview technique to the way “World News Tonight” framed a major ruling against Meta.
The series of social media posts has attracted attention inside ABC News, with the Status newsletter reporting that Norman’s increasingly public criticism has “raised eyebrows among many” at the Disney-owned network.
Norman’s contract was not renewed earlier this year, and her departure was followed by what Status described as a contentious exchange between the journalist and ABC. Now, she is using her own platform to challenge editorial decisions made by her former employer.
Norman Criticizes Michael Strahan’s Interview With Nolan Wells’ Parents
One of Norman’s strongest critiques centered on Michael Strahan’s interview with the parents of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old who was found dead following a boating trip with friends in Mississippi.
During the interview, Strahan asked Wells’ grieving parents why their son would have voluntarily remained behind on Horn Island, according to a clip Norman included in her video.
Norman argued that the question should have been framed differently.
“Bless Michael, ’cause he had it right the first time,” she said.
“The question should have been, ‘Do you believe that?’ Not asking these grieving parents to defend a decision that we don’t even know for certain their deceased son made.”
Norman described the question as “not an objective question” and said that, from her perspective, it was “insensitive.”
Her criticism then expanded beyond Strahan to the wider news industry and its reliance on law enforcement sources.
“Many news organizations haven’t yet learned that they cannot always trust law enforcement as primary sources of credible information, and that is what plays into racial divisions,” Norman said.
She pointed to what she described as the historical context of Mississippi, calling it “the state with the most recorded lynchings in history,” and argued that news organizations should have approached information from authorities investigating Wells’ death with greater skepticism.
“By ignoring that context, news organizations become complicit in upholding white supremacy and, whether intentionally or unintentionally, end up playing into racial divisions,” Norman said.
Norman has criticized ABC’s coverage of the Wells case more than once. She has accused the network of “gaslighting” the public and described one of its digital reports as “problematic” and an example of “blame the victim.”
ABC News defended Strahan following Norman’s remarks.
“Michael is an invaluable and highly respected member of the ABC News family,” a spokesperson told The Post.
“He is a trusted anchor and journalist, and we have complete confidence in his editorial judgment, integrity, and professionalism.”
Norman Also Examines David Muir’s ‘World News Tonight’ Coverage
Norman’s criticism has not been limited to “Good Morning America.”
She also analyzed how “World News Tonight with David Muir” covered a New Mexico ruling ordering Meta to pay $567 million in penalties, comparing ABC’s reporting with a report from NBC’s “Nightly News” anchor Tom Llamas.
Her assessment was not entirely negative.
Norman said ABC’s headline and introduction were more specific and praised Muir for providing additional context.
“David’s intro gave more thorough information, making the connection between children, teens, social media, and mental health. Tom’s didn’t,” she said.
Her concern centered instead on language that ABC did not include.
Norman argued that the network omitted some of the judge’s stronger wording, which she believed reduced the force of the report.
“ABC never uses that language,” she said. “They still tell the story, use the New Mexico attorney general for a strong soundbite, but it’s not as strong as the language of the judge.”
“And by not using it, it almost protects Meta,” Norman continued. “It softens how the story lands.”
Norman has also publicly criticized ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jon Karl and Stephen A. Smith, the prominent personality at ABC’s sister network ESPN.
Her ABC Departure Came After 15 Years With the Network
Norman’s criticism has not been limited to “Good Morning America.”
Norman’s willingness to publicly dissect ABC’s journalism is particularly notable because her relationship with the network ended only months ago.
ABC decided not to renew her contract earlier this year.
According to Status, which initially reported her departure in April, unnamed sources said Norman was “not well-liked by ABC News brass” and that there had been friction between her and people within the organization.
Status also reported a “contentious back-and-forth” between Norman and ABC following her exit, much of it connected to her forthcoming book.
The network reportedly wanted information about the book and its contents. Norman later revealed that the cover had been changed because of her former employer.
She wrote on Instagram that the photo had been replaced “to respect ABC News’ wishes not to allow us use of the photo for the original cover,” according to Status.
Norman Said She Was Heartbroken Over How Her Time at ABC Ended
The barrage is particularly striking because Norman left ABC only months ago after the network decided not to renew her contract.
Norman did not hide her disappointment following her departure.
“I’d hoped that we’d have more time, and it’s been hard on me that our time was cut short,” she said in an Instagram farewell.
Norman said she had loved her job and valued the relationships she had developed with both colleagues and viewers.
“I have loved my job. It has been a joy to connect with my co-workers and with viewers, to help keep you informed and entertained, and to create this community,” she wrote.
But she was particularly upset that she did not get an opportunity to deliver a farewell to viewers on television.
“So it really breaks my heart that I don’t get to say goodbye,” Norman said. “I’m so sorry that I don’t get to say goodbye.”
Norman reportedly learned in early March that ABC did not intend to renew her contract and continued appearing on television for several weeks, according to a source cited by People.
However, after news of the decision became public in early April, she was abruptly removed from the air even though her contract reportedly continued until early May, the outlet reported.
Norman Continues to Speak Out After Leaving ABC
her departure, primarily involving her forthcoming book.
The public criticism comes as Norman is scheduled to appear at the National Association of Black Journalists conference alongside former ABC News president Kim Godwin, according to Status.
Godwin has reportedly indicated that she is prepared to discuss her own experience leading ABC News. Neither Norman nor Godwin responded to Status’ requests for comment cited in its report.
For Norman, meanwhile, leaving ABC appears to have given her a different platform from which to discuss the journalism she once helped produce.
Whit Johnson, Janai Norman and Gio Benitez on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Norman said she had “loved” her job at ABC but was heartbroken that she did not get an opportunity to say goodbye to “GMA” viewers on air.ABC via Getty Images
Her recent videos have repeatedly included a line that summarizes how she now describes her role.
“I used to do the news,” Norman has told followers. “Now I just report the facts and uncomfortable truths.”
The Post said it had contacted Norman for comment.