David Muir is making waves, but not for the right reasons. The World News Tonight anchor left ABC insiders feeling “embarrassed and horrified” as he was caught in a cringeworthy fashion mishap while covering the deadly Los Angeles wildfires.
The blunder occurred live on air when Muir accidentally revealed that his flame-retardant jacket, meant to mirror those worn by first responders, was cinched in the back with clothespins to give him a more flattering fit. The moment, which aired during the catastrophe, sparked outrage among viewers and ABC employees alike.
A vanity fail that backfired
Sources inside ABC were quick to call out Muir’s “narcissistic” behavior. His attention to physical appearance has long been the talk of the network, with many insiders pointing to his Instagram account. On the social platform, Muir often shares photos of himself in tight-fitting T-shirts, showcasing his toned physique. But now, his fashion slip-up during a live broadcast is bringing the attention to his vanity, not his journalism.
One insider couldn’t hold back, calling the incident “pathetic.” “It’s all flexed muscles and posing,” they said. “He’s actually Zoolander meets Anchorman. He forgets he’s the face of ABC News, not Abercrombie & Fitch!”
The fashion move wasn’t exactly surprising to those who know Muir’s style. A source mentioned, “Muir’s narcissism is huge in terms of these kinds of things. I like him, except for this part of him. Anderson Cooper and Chris Cuomo wear muscle shirts, but they’d never do something like this during a wildfire.”
A closer look at the controversial jacket
The jacket, which was supposed to resemble a firefighter’s gear, had Muir cinching it with clothespins for a sleeker silhouette. While it’s common for TV broadcasters to cinch clothes for a more tailored look, viewers aren’t supposed to know about these wardrobe tricks.
Yet, during his live broadcast, Muir turned to show the damage from the wildfires behind him. Unfortunately, he also revealed the cinched jacket. It was a wardrobe fail that left viewers, and ABC insiders, shaking their heads. The timing couldn’t have been worse.
A tasteless fashion choice during tragedy
The fashion choice seemed even more inappropriate considering the gravity of the situation. As one insider pointed out, “Trying to look ‘hot’ during a fire is outrageous. This shouldn’t be about vanity. It should be about people losing their homes.”
One of the harshest critics came from rock scion Jack Osbourne, who blasted Muir’s fashion move on X. “Nice jacket, bro. Glad you look nice and svelte with those clothespins while our city burns to the ground,” Osbourne wrote. He tagged none other than Elon Musk in the post.
The backlash wasn’t limited to viewers. ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic, who’s known for being Muir’s “security blanket,” was seen at the scene during the live broadcast. This rare move raised eyebrows, with one source mentioning that it’s unusual for a network president to join an anchor unless it’s a major interview or event.
Muir’s reputation on the line
It’s clear that David Muir’s reputation is on the line. As the face of ABC News, his behavior is always under scrutiny. But now, his vanity may have overshadowed the important work he’s supposed to be doing. Covering natural disasters, especially one as deadly as the LA wildfires, requires a focus on the victims, not the anchor’s fashion choices.
One source stressed, “Covering a catastrophe shouldn’t be about looking good. It should be about reporting on the real human toll. People are losing everything.”
ABC’s response
Despite the growing criticism, ABC News is standing by their anchor. A spokesperson defended Muir, saying, “Here’s an anchor standing in the middle of horrific wildfires, where people have lost everything. David is solely focused on the people who are suffering and the heroic efforts of the firefighters. That’s what everyone should be focused on.”
Muir faces growing backlash
While ABC News tries to deflect attention away from Muir’s fashion misstep, it’s clear that the anchor’s narcissistic tendencies are rubbing people the wrong way. The incident may be a minor fashion faux pas, but it’s one that’s left a lasting impression on both the public and Muir’s colleagues.
As ABC News continues to defend Muir’s intentions, it’s important to remember that the true focus of the broadcast should be the devastating impact of the wildfires. For now, Muir may want to consider keeping his vanity in check — especially during times of crisis.
