David Muir Criticized for His So-Called ‘Narcissism’ Amid L.A. Fires

Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek’s network of contributors

While the country’s attention was fixed on the fires ravaging Los Angeles, some eagle-eyed viewers tuning into ABC News were more focused on what anchor David Muir was wearing.

On the Wednesday, January 8 broadcast of World News Tonight, Muir was reporting live from a neighborhood in crisis, dressed in a bright yellow ABC-branded flame-retardant jacket. As he turned to point out the destruction behind him, he unintentionally gave viewers a glimpse of the clothespins holding the extra fabric at the back, revealing the anchor was attempting to cinch the baggier garment for a more tailored look.

Page Six reported that network insiders were “embarrassed and horrified” by the fashion fail.

“His narcissism is quite large in the sense of this kind of thing,” one source told the outlet. “I like David, except for this part of him.”

Another insider told Page Six that Muir’s Instagram feed showcases the media honcho’s eye for style. “It’s pathetic,” the insider commented. “All flexed muscles and posing. He’s actually Zoolander meets Anchorman. He forgets he is the face of ABC News, not Abercrombie & Fitch!”

In Muir’s defense, Page Six noted that sources explained using clothespins to improve a sartorial silhouette during a shoot isn’t unusual for top network stars.

Still, a third source called the style faux pas “outrageous” since it happened while covering people losing their homes in a disaster.

Even Jack Osbourne, son of Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne, threw in his two cents on the subject. “Nice Jacket Bro. Glad you look nice and svelte with those clothes line pegs, while our city burns to the ground,” he wrote on X.

ABC also responded to the controversy. A network spokesperson insisted Muir was more concerned about the fires and doing his job than comments about his clothing.

“Here’s an anchor standing in the middle of horrific wildfires where people have lost everything,” the spokesperson said in a statement, Page Six reported. “David is solely focused on the people who are suffering and the heroic efforts of the firefighters — and that’s what everyone should be focused on.”