CNN’s longtime anchor and lightning rod, Jim Acosta, is leaving the network after an 18-year tenure. The veteran journalist, who gained national prominence for his fiery exchanges with President Donald Trump, is stepping away as the cable network undergoes significant internal changes.
CNN executives described the decision as part of an ongoing effort to retool programming, but insiders insist there’s more to the story. Acosta reportedly balked at an offer to host a late-night program in the midnight Eastern time slot—a move almost universally viewed as a demotion. The offer followed the cancellation of his mid-morning show, CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta, which aired weekdays at 10 a.m. EST.
The shake-up comes as CNN CEO Mark Thompson aims to streamline the network’s lineup and pivot toward a more digital-focused strategy. While the official explanation frames these changes as part of broader corporate goals, some employees see Acosta’s exit as emblematic of tensions within the newsroom—partly attributed to Acosta’s ego.
JUST IN: CNN's Jim Acosta gives one final self-aggrandizing comment on the network, tells his viewers to "never bow down to a tyrant."
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 28, 2025
Acosta is leaving the network after they tried moving him to the graveyard shift, presumably because of his poor performance.
"I will not give… pic.twitter.com/vulo8lYaHr
Anonymous sources claimed that Acosta, who became synonymous with CNN’s coverage of the Trump White House during the president’s first term, was dissatisfied with the network’s direction under Thompson’s leadership.
The Daily Mail has additional details:
The anchor was reportedly left with an ultimatum as network head honcho Mark Thompson ruthlessly made cuts at CNN last week: accept a midnight timeslot or your future at the network is in question.
Jim Acosta is out at CNN after 18 years. His biggest contribution to society was getting spanked by DJT on live TV: pic.twitter.com/auCEAUXgOw
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 28, 2025
Status reported Monday night that the anchor has told close allies he will call their bluff and depart just as Trump returns to the White House.
The network has reportedly tried to sell Acosta on the idea of being on during prime time hours on the west coast but ratings were likely to take a nosedive.
While Acosta’s show was far from the network’s biggest problem – only reruns of Bill Maher’s HBO show and CNN’s biggest stars like Jake Tapper, Anderson Cooper and Abby Philip did better than his 10am show – it could be seen as Thompson looking to take the network away from its liberal drift in recent years.
One insider described the situation bluntly, claiming Acosta was being “hosed” by leadership.
Whether his exit marks a strategic pivot or a broader cultural shift remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Acosta’s absence will leave a notable gap in CNN’s combative coverage of the Trump era.
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Adios “Arschlok Acosta” glad to see stale trash like you discarded when rotten.
Mr. Acosta, for the good of the network – no, for the good of the country – should have been let go years ago. I just hope that he does not have a “golden parachute.”
Long over due. Good Luck Goo riddance. Possible hope for CNN future but I doubt it.
I know how abrasive Jim Acosta was during the first Trump Administration. I can also recall one particular time when in the front row in the Roosevelt Room, and then President Trump was speaking. I saw Trump make a slight move that he was ready to punch Acosta out for being rude. President Trump is not a vindictive man because he cares about everyone, both Republicans and Democrats, but when one rubs him the wrong way. he is not shy about calling them out for their error. I wish Jim Acosta well and hope he wakes up to smell the coffee and perhaps discover a degree of repentance that needs to take place and find a better job. I am praying for you, Jim…
good riddance. Maybe this is a sign that CNN is ready to quit with the BS, the lies, the twisting of truth and the editing of videos and sound bites to create false narratives. They have a lot to prove to the American people and if not then put them under as just another pusher of false propaganda.