Jim Acosta to leave CNN: Notorious anti-Trump journalist Jim Acosta is reportedly departing CNN after a significant reshuffling of the network’s programming lineup.
According to a report by Oliver Darcy’s Status News, Acosta privately informed colleagues over the weekend of his intention to leave the network.
This decision comes after CNN’s CEO, Mark Thompson, removed Acosta from his 10 a.m. show, a move that coincides with Donald Trump’s return to the presidency.
“The anchor, I’m told, indicated to associates in private conversations that he plans to exit the network after being sidelined from the morning programming lineup,” Darcy reported. “CNN brass, as we first noted earlier this month, decided to strip Acosta of his show, despite its notable ratings success over the last 11 months.”
At times, Acosta’s program even outperformed several primetime slots, a rarity in cable news. However, instead of being offered another prominent time slot, CNN proposed Acosta take on a midnight-to-2 a.m. show, branded as “primetime for the West Coast.” This late-night shift, viewed as a demotion, would require Acosta to relocate to Los Angeles.
A source close to Acosta told Darcy, “They want to get rid of Acosta to throw a bone to Trump. Midnight is not a serious offer when his ratings are among the best on the network.”
Jim Acosta rose to prominence during Donald Trump’s first term as CNN’s chief White House correspondent. Known for his confrontational approach, Acosta frequently sparred with Trump during press conferences, often becoming the focal point of heated exchanges.
Trump repeatedly criticized Acosta and CNN, labeling their coverage as biased and calling the network “fake news.” At one point, the Trump administration attempted to revoke Acosta’s White House press credentials, a move CNN challenged in court. The legal battle ended with a federal judge ruling in CNN’s favor, forcing the White House to reinstate Acosta’s press pass.
CNN’s Jim Acosta once tried to prove we don’t need a border wall because areas guarded by border walls are tranquil pic.twitter.com/iXvfDtS5Cm
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 28, 2025
Mark Thompson, who recently took the helm as CNN’s CEO, has been making significant changes to the network’s programming. Acosta’s removal from his morning slot is one of the most high-profile decisions yet.
While CNN has not officially commented on Acosta’s rumored departure, the decision to move him to a low-visibility time slot has sparked speculation about the network’s broader strategy.
Some insiders suggest the move reflects an effort to reset CNN’s relationship with the Trump administration, while others see it as a misstep given Acosta’s strong ratings performance.
Acosta has yet to make a public statement about the report or his next steps. His departure, if confirmed, would mark the end of a contentious and high-profile tenure at CNN.