ABC World News Tonight audiences have found themselves gripped with anticipation amid all the political turbulence unfolding across the nation right now.

The 52-year-old anchor has made his much-awaited comeback to his enduring program, which shattered viewership records during the holiday season, following a short hiatus. Although supporters were thrilled to see David Muir return to their television screens, the same enthusiasm couldn’t be extended to the series of disturbing breaking news reports he was tasked with presenting.

David opened the broadcast by declaring, “Breaking at this hour, this major development involving the US and Venezuela, sources telling ABC news tonight that the US has now given Venezuela’s interim leader a list of demands that must be met before Venezuela can sell its oil again, demanding Venezuela kick out Russia, Iran, Cuba, and sever economic ties with them.”

He subsequently wrapped up his portion of the segment by transitioning to his ABC News counterpart Rachel Scott, who was broadcasting live from the White House.

Rachel informed audiences, “Tonight, sources telling ABC News that the US conveyed a list of demands to the interim leader of Venezuela that the regime must meet before the US will allow Venezuela to sell more oil.”

“They include Venezuela must kick out China, Russia, Iran and Cuba and sever economic ties, and Venezuela must agree to partner exclusively with the US on oil production and favor the US when selling heavy crude oil, the US threatening the lifeline of the Venezuelan economy, imposing a military blockade. It sits on the largest oil reserves in the world,” she explained.

Rachel went on, “The Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Roger Wicker, saying the US plan in Venezuela hinges on controlling the oil and that he did not believe the deployment of US troops will be required, with President Trump hailing the daring raid that led to the capture of Nicholas Maduro.”

A clip then played of Trump speaking at a press conference, gloating, “It was an amazing military feat. We sort of got him a little by surprise, but it was brilliant, it was brilliant tactically. It was an incredible thing.”

Rachel noted, “Three days later, still no clarity from the administration on how the US plans to, quote, run Venezuela, but the President has maintained the US is in charge of the country. The administration has a one-day plan on how to get rid of Maduro, but no idea of what happens after.”

She concluded her report saying, “And tonight, the president facing sharp condemnation from world leaders over his threats to take over Greenland.”

The clip was posted on ABC World News Tonight’s Instagram page, sparking a flurry of reactions from viewers. One concerned user wrote, “Wow, we’re in trouble. I hope everyone is ready. Absolutely frightening.

“WTF…. demands?” another viewer expressed incredulously, while a third confessed, “Very bad idea I can feel a war coming stay tuned!!!!” Amid the sea of comments, one person noted, “Wow, this is brazen- even for Trump.”

Another baffled follower added, “I still don’t understand how this is happening, prompting another to ask,” which led to yet another user questioning, “I’m not trying to be funny but who in the f–k do Donald Trump think he is?”