Tensions are reportedly running high behind the scenes at Good Morning America as staff members express frustration over recent layoffs while the show’s top anchors—
Robin Roberts, Michael Strahan, and George Stephanopoulos—continue to earn multimillion-dollar salaries.
According to insiders, employees at the network feel a growing sense of resentment over the financial disparity between the high-paid anchors and the colleagues who have been let go.
The frustration comes amid a wave of layoffs affecting workers earning far less than the show’s leading personalities,
sparking debate over fairness and financial priorities at the network.
Staff Anger Over Layoffs and Salary Gaps
Employees have reportedly voiced concerns that while colleagues making salaries in the range of $100,000 to $150,000 are losing their jobs,
the show’s top talent remains unaffected. Roberts, 64, reportedly earns $20 million per year, while Strahan, 53, brings in approximately $17 million, and Stephanopoulos, 64, receives $18 million annually.
“There is a lot of resentment that all these employees are losing their jobs, yet Robin is making $20 million, Michael is making $17 million, and George—who just had a lawsuit settled—still gets his $18 million salary,” an insider shared.
The discontent has led some employees to question whether the highest-paid talent should consider taking a pay cut to help prevent further layoffs. “The people at the bottom are getting hit the worst. It might seem illogical, but people think maybe the big talent should take the pay cut instead,” the source added.
Stephanopoulos’ Controversy and Contract Renewal
Adding to the frustration is the recent legal trouble involving George Stephanopoulos, whose contract was renewed in late 2024 despite ABC settling a lawsuit related to his on-air statements about former President Donald Trump.
Stephanopoulos had erroneously reported that Trump was found liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll. However, the court had actually found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, not rape. The mistake led to a lawsuit, with ABC ultimately settling with Trump, who was 78 at the time.
Despite the legal dispute, Stephanopoulos secured his lucrative contract renewal, further fueling frustration among employees who feel the network is prioritizing its top stars over its broader workforce.
Shifting Trends in News Industry Salaries
While the frustration among staff is evident, some industry experts believe that the era of multimillion-dollar anchor salaries may be coming to an end.
“Little by little, this is all going away,” one news insider explained. “These bigger salaries are all going away. George was recently renewed, but the news industry just can’t keep supporting these salaries anymore.”
The financial struggles of traditional television networks, combined with declining viewership and increased competition from digital platforms, have led to budget cuts across major media outlets. Layoffs have been common in the industry as networks seek to balance their books while continuing to invest in high-profile talent to maintain ratings.
What’s Next for GMA?
As Good Morning America continues to navigate these financial challenges, the question remains whether the network will make adjustments to its approach to salaries and cost-cutting. While high-profile anchors play a key role in maintaining viewership and brand recognition, the growing divide between executive salaries and newsroom layoffs may force ABC to reconsider how it manages compensation in the future.
For now, tensions appear to be simmering behind the scenes, and the discontent among staff members suggests that more changes could be on the horizon as networks grapple with the evolving landscape of broadcast news.
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