David Muir anchoring World News Tonight (Image: ABC via Getty Images)
David Muir has sparked quite the conversation among fans, but it’s not about the intense news he’s been reporting from Texas.
The 51-year-old anchorman left his regular spot in the ABC World News Tonight studio to cover the harrowing events unfolding in the Texas Hill Country. Recent catastrophic flash floods there have resulted in numerous fatalities.
Muir has been on scene in the Lone Star State for the better part of the week, bringing to light stories of individuals searching for missing loved ones and the calamities befalling Camp Mystic. Despite the program’s focus on various major headlines coming out of the area, viewers seem captivated by more than just the news.
Instead of his standard on-air ensemble, David showcased a brawnier look in more relaxed attire than what his audience typically sees. For his most recent report, he appeared in a snug, plain black shirt coupled with jeans. His usually neat, dark brown locks were styled for a laid-back look.
David swapped his suit for a fight fitted black T-shirt(Image: ABC)
Following a primetime segment about the TSA dropping the requirement for travelers to remove their shoes, a clip posted on the show’s Instagram elicited comments focused on the anchor’s physique.
“David, been working out huh!? Looking in shape brother,” commented one fan, while another exclaimed, “I had to start this over a couple times…hello chest and biceps.”
A third user joined the friendly banter, quipping, “Hi everyone, see how buffed I am?” while a fourth piled on the praise, saying, “Bro is getting jacked.” A fifth even teased, “Remove your muscle shirt instead,” with another dropping in a playful meme captioned, “Suns out guns out, baby.”
Even though David’s known for his suits and polished persona, he let slip in an interview with People that appearances can be deceiving. He confessed, “I generally have jeans on from the waist down. So the first thing that we try to do is make sure my jeans aren’t showing…I really don’t try to take myself too seriously but I always just joke, ‘Don’t tell anyone about the jeans and the boots!'”
During a poignant tribute to his departing friend and colleague Michelle Mayer on air, David touched upon the same wardrobe ruse again. “I am still in denial about all this,” he said, visibly moved.
“I cannot believe that Shelly is leaving – my partner in crime on set. She’s the one who’s cuing me every single night, right by the camera,” he continued, applauding his stage manager, Michelle.
He also remarked affectionately, “For you tonight Shelly, I made sure you can see my cuffs – Shelly always tells me to show them. And the watch I’m wearing? It’s there because Shelly likes it when I wear it. It’s a rare occasion, just once or twice a year.”
David didn’t stop with his unique gestures there, as he also noted, “I got a full suit on today, only for you, Shelley, as you know, usually jeans in the waist down behind that desk. But for you, the full suit. And I don’t dig the jeans, and I got a haircut. I got a haircut for you.”
Wrapping up, David effused, “This moment is yours; you deserve this. Shelley, go home to Kentucky, giving back with your family, the horses, and the beautiful countryside. And what 11 years this has been done by my side, I don’t know what I’m gonna do without you.”
The segment concluded with the camera shifting to Michelle, who – for the final time – was signaling to cue David off air.
