CNN anchor Jim Acosta, known for his contentious exchanges with former President Donald Trump while serving as a White House correspondent, has announced his departure from the network instead of accepting a new late-night position.
Acosta made this announcement during the conclusion of his hour-long morning show, urging viewers to “Not give in to the lies. Don’t give in to the fear.”
Though he did not directly relate these sentiments to Trump, the implications were noticeable. CNN clarified that its decision to transition Acosta from a daytime programming slot to a midnight time frame was not politically motivated.
Less than thirty minutes prior to Acosta’s announcement, Trump expressed via social media that the rumors regarding Acosta’s exit were positive news, claiming, “Jim is a major loser who will fail no matter where he ends up.”
Last week, coinciding with Trump’s return to office, CNN revealed that it was revamping its daytime schedule, moving Wolf Blitzer into Acosta’s 10 a.m. Eastern time slot along with Pamela Brown. The network had extended an offer to Acosta to host a midnight program, with plans to relocate him to Los Angeles, where his show would air at 9 p.m. and also be broadcasted internationally on CNN International.
However, after a nearly two-decade tenure at CNN, Acosta declined the offer.
Reflecting on his career, he mentioned that he is frequently asked whether covering Trump’s first term was the pinnacle of his experience at CNN. Instead, he pointed to the memorable opportunity of covering former President Barack Obama’s Cuba visit in 2016, where he asked Cuban leader Raul Castro a critical question about political prisoners.
“As the son of a Cuban refugee, I learned that it is never wise to submit to a tyrant,” Acosta remarked. He emphasized his belief that it is essential for the press to hold those in power accountable, a principle he has strived to uphold throughout his time at CNN and intends to continue in the future.
In his parting words, he reiterated, “Do not give in to the lies. Hold on to the truth and to hope.”
CNN issued a statement recognizing Acosta’s nearly 20-year career, highlighting his commitment to standing up to authority and advocating for the First Amendment and journalistic freedom. They expressed gratitude for his dedication to reporting and wished him success in his future endeavors.
Acosta’s tumultuous relationship with Trump reached a peak in 2018 when the White House temporarily revoked his press pass after he attempted to continue questioning Trump during a news conference, even as the president insisted, “that’s enough!” while an aide tried to take away Acosta’s microphone.
