Jim Acosta exits CNN after nearly two decades

The former White House correspondent, who became known for his fiery exchanges with then-President Donald Trump, announced his decision at the conclusion of his 10 a.m. programme on Tuesday.

“You may have seen some reports about me and this show. After careful consideration and weighing an alternative time slot CNN offered me, I have decided to move on,” Acosta stated, reflecting on his long-standing commitment to journalism.

According to the New York Post, Acosta’s exit follows a programming reshuffle by CNN Chairman Mark Thompson, which would have seen him moved to a less prominent midnight slot.

Instead, Acosta opted to part ways with the network, saying, “I have always believed it’s the job of the press to hold power to account. I have always tried to do that here at CNN.”

In his emotional farewell, Acosta expressed gratitude to viewers and urged them to remain vigilant against misinformation.

“Don’t give in to the lies. Don’t give in to the fear. Hold on to the truth and to hope. Even if you have to get out your phone and record that message, post it on your social media, so people can hear from you too,” he said.

CNN, in a statement, praised Acosta’s career, saying, “Jim has had a long, distinguished career at CNN, with a track record of standing up to authority, for the First Amendment, and for our journalistic freedoms.

“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.”

Acosta joined CNN in 2007 and rose to prominence for his relentless questioning of the Trump administration. After the 2020 election, he transitioned from his role as chief White House correspondent to CNN’s chief domestic correspondent.

His departure comes at a time when CNN is undergoing significant changes under Thompson’s leadership. These include a major restructuring involving 200 job cuts—roughly 6% of its workforce—and a strategic pivot toward digital media to align with changing audience behaviour.

Thompson, formerly of The New York Times, is spearheading the network’s shift from traditional cable operations to digital platforms, supported by a $70 million investment from parent company Warner Bros. Discovery.

Plans include developing a streaming service for news content and a lifestyle-oriented digital product, with 100 new positions set to be created in digital media.