Kim Godwin announced on Sunday evening that she was stepping down from her role as president ABC News — and retiring, effective immediately.
Godwin, who in 2021 became the first black person to run a broadcast television news division, resigned after corporate restructuring “stripped away much of her management autonomy,” The Wall Street Journal reported.
“I have decided to retire from broadcast journalism,” she said in a lengthy statement to company staff. “Anyone who’s passionate about what we do knows there’s no other business like it, so this was not an easy or quick decision. But after considerable reflection, I’m certain it’s the right one for me as I look to the future and prioritize what’s most important for me and my family.”
NEWS
Kim Godwin, the president of ABC News, has announced she’s leaving the network and retiring from broadcast news.
Godwin, who was named president in 2021, was the first black woman to lead the news division of a major network.
Her tenure has been filled with missteps and… pic.twitter.com/kqJHN7XsEA
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) May 6, 2024
Disney Networks president Debra OConnell said in a statement: “Dana and I would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to Kim for her service as president of ABC News. Kim has navigated this team through consequential times in our world, and she did so with respect for the brand and profession – and for that and more, we thank her.”
Godwin’s decision to retire comes after she struggled to navigate the waters at the network with the news division “suffering from a cutthroat and toxic culture,” the report said.
She reportedly angered people with her leadership style which included making “swift moves” and creating an inner circle that “alienated staffers.”
She faced considerable backlash for the way that she handled the extramarital affair between co-hosts Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes on the networks’ “Good Morning America” show.
Former President Donald Trump responded to the news in a post on social media.
“Happy to report that Kim Godwin, Head of ABC, has resigned,” he said. “Could it be the unfair reporting on EVERYTHING TRUMP? In any event, GOOD RIDDANCE! Hopefully somebody else will be able to control George Slopadopolous and the rest of the Fake News Thugs over at ABC? Best wishes Kim!”