On April 16, 2025, David Muir, anchor of ABC’s World News Tonight, was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025, a prestigious honor celebrated by fans and highlighted by a heartfelt tribute from legendary journalist Diane Sawyer. Sawyer, calling Muir “calm, courageous, and inspiring,” praised his frontline reporting from war zones like Ukraine, Iran, Israel, and Afghanistan, as well as climate-devastated regions like Madagascar and South Sudan, per web:0. The announcement, sparking a frenzy on X, cements Muir’s global impact.

DAVID MUIR’S EPIC TIME 100 TRIUMPH! Sawyer’s Tribute Shocks Fans!

Muir, 51, has anchored World News Tonight since 2014, leading it to 8 million nightly viewers, per web:6. His reporting, including a 2022 interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and coverage of Madagascar’s climate-driven famine, raised $9 million for the World Food Programme, per web:8. Sawyer, in her TIME tribute, wrote, “Like Peter Jennings, David’s authoritative and dynamic,” noting his ability to “make sense of the day,” per web:1. X users, like @ABCFan22, tweeted, “Muir’s a legend—Sawyer nailed it!”

His work, earning multiple Emmys and a George Polk Award, spans Normandy, Auschwitz, and South Sudan’s floods, per web:10. Sawyer’s tribute, calling him her “irreverent friend,” per web:2, adds a personal touch, amplifying the emotional weight. Fans on X, with #MuirTIME100 trending, posted, “He’s changing lives!” Critics, like @MediaSkeptic, questioned TIME’s selection, but Muir’s 2024 Walter Cronkite Award, per web:11, silences doubters.

The honor, announced amid ABC’s recent controversies, including George Stephanopoulos’ suspension, per web:35, underscores Muir’s resilience. His moderation of the 2024 Trump-Harris debate, viewed by 70 million, per web:4, and exclusive Pope Francis interview, per web:8, highlight his influence. @NewsJunkie88 tweeted, “David’s voice shapes the world!”

As World News Tonight dominates ratings, Muir’s TIME 100 recognition, backed by Sawyer’s glowing words, proves his journalism is a force for truth. From war zones to climate crises, his fearless reporting inspires millions, setting the stage for an enduring legacy.