ABC David Muir fans declare 'we're closer for the truth' after bombshell Epstein update
David Muir last night shared the news that Prince Andrew is giving up all his titles, including Duke of York, and viewers had some strong reactions to the ABC report
Fans of David Muir have shared their reactions after the ABC journalist reported on the bombshell news that Prince Andrew is giving up all his remaining titles and honours in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
King Charles' younger brother said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace last night that the "continued accusations" against him "distract" from the work of the monarch and the wider royal family. He wrote, "In discussion with the King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family.
"I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life. With His Majesty's agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."
On Friday night's episode of ABC World News Tonight with David Muir, the journalist said, "Tonight, the stunning decision by Prince Andrew giving up all of his royal titles, he says, after talking with King Charles. So, what's behind the timing of this?"
David then introduced a report by investigative reporter Aaron Katersky who shared further details of Andrew's decision as he faces further scrutiny over his friendship with late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Aaron read Andrew's statement and confirmed that the titles he is giving up include Duke of York.
The journalist pointed out that the announcement came days before the release of a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre, which was completed before she died by suicide in April. "She long claimed Epstein trafficked her to have sex with Andrew when she was 17," Aaron said. Andrew has always denied, and continued denying, these accusations.
Despite claiming in an interview he had never met Ms Giuffre, Andrew paid her millions to settle a civil sexual assault case. The prince stepped back from his royal duties after an infamous BBC Newsnight interview in 2019, Aaron pointed out, but his latest announcement goes a step forward.
"We're told tonight, David, King Charles is glad about Andrew's decision," said the reporter. "As the son of a monarch [Queen Elizabeth II] he can still be called prince, but his ex, Sarah Ferguson, is no longer duchess."
After a video of the report was shared on Instagram by ABC World News Tonight, many viewers shared their thoughts and called for the Epstein files to be released - something Donald Trump has been under pressure to do for months. One commented, "It's getting closer for the truth to come out!!!"
"Release the Epstein files," another said. "This is only the beginning," wrote a third. One more said, "Justice for Virginia Giuffre!!!"
A person said, "Someone tell Trump to step down!!! Release the Epstein files!!" Someone else added, "It's crumbling down. Whoa."
The announcement is the latest fall from grace for the 65-year-old prince, who had already stepped down from public life in 2019 over his links to Epstein despite his denials of any wrongdoing. News that he will be ditching his title came in the wake of the release of excerpts of an upcoming posthumous memoir from Ms Giuffre, who has alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and had sex with Andrew when she was 17. The memoir is due to be published on Tuesday.
Giuffre took her own life at the age of 41. In the memoir, she details alleged encounters with Andrew, who she sued in 2021. Andrew denied her claims and said he didn’t recall having met her.
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