WASHINGTON, USA — Jim Acosta, the CNN anchor known for his contentious exchanges with President Donald Trump during his first term, announced his departure from the network on Tuesday after declining an offer to move to a late-night time slot.
Acosta, who has been with CNN for 18 years, revealed his decision at the end of his morning show, urging viewers, “Don’t give in to the lies. Don’t give in to the fear.”
While he did not explicitly reference Trump, the underlying message was evident.
His exit comes after CNN announced a shakeup in its daytime programming, replacing Acosta’s 10 a.m.
Eastern slot with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown.
The network offered him a new role anchoring a midnight show out of Los Angeles, which would have also been simulcast on CNN International.
Acosta declined the offer, opting instead to leave the network.
Trump Reacts
Trump, who frequently clashed with Acosta during his first term, reacted swiftly to the news.
“Jim is a major loser who will fail no matter where he ends up,” Trump wrote on Truth Social just minutes before Acosta’s announcement.
The former White House correspondent gained prominence for his heated exchanges with Trump, culminating in a 2018 incident where the White House briefly suspended his press pass after he continued questioning the president at a press conference despite being told to stop.
A Reflection on His Career
Acosta took time during his final broadcast to reflect on his tenure at CNN.
“People often ask if covering Trump’s first term was the highlight of my career,” Acosta said.
“But for me, it was covering President Barack Obama’s trip to Cuba in 2016 and having the opportunity to ask Raúl Castro about political prisoners.”
“As the son of a Cuban refugee, I took home the lesson that it is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant,” he added.
“I have always believed it’s the job of the press to hold power to account.”
His parting words to viewers: “Hold on to the truth. And to hope.”
CNN’s Response
In a statement, CNN praised Acosta’s contributions to the network and his dedication to journalistic integrity.
“Jim has had a long, distinguished, nearly 20-year career at CNN, with a track record of standing up to authority, for the First Amendment and our journalistic freedoms,” the network said.
“We want to thank him for the dedication and commitment he’s brought to his reporting and wish him the very best in the future.”
What’s Next for Acosta?
Acosta has not yet announced his next career move but hinted that he plans to continue journalism in some capacity.
His departure from CNN marks the end of an era for one of the network’s most recognisable and polarising figures, particularly in the landscape of political reporting.
With CNN’s restructuring and Trump’s return to the White House, the media environment remains in flux, leaving open questions about Acosta’s next steps—and how his absence will reshape CNN’s political coverage in the years ahead.
