CNN Anchor Jim Acosta Announces On-Air He’s Leaving Embattled Network

CNN anchor Jim Acosta made his departure from the network public on Tuesday, signaling the end of his time with the company and leaving behind a pointed remark aimed at the Trump administration, urging his audience not to “give in to the lies.”

Acosta, who was CNN’s White House correspondent and had several tense interactions with President Trump during his first term, had been facing a demotion from his regular morning slot. He was reportedly offered a less prominent late-night time slot instead.

“You may have seen some reports about me and this show. And after giving all of this some careful consideration and weighing an alternative time slot CNN offered me, I have decided to move on,” Acosta shared at the conclusion of his 10 a.m. show.

CNN’s morning programming will now be hosted by “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown,” part of a broader realignment spearheaded by CNN’s new leader, Mark Thompson, to improve ratings.

Reports suggest that Thompson had proposed a shift for Acosta, offering him a midnight slot, but Acosta opted to leave instead of accepting the change.

Acosta shared that he would provide more details about his next career move in the near future.

“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,” Acosta remarked in his farewell address.

“I plan on doing all of that in the future. One final message: 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, record that message. I will not give in to the lies. I will not give in to the fear. Post it on your social media, so people can hear from you, too.”

“Until then, I want to thank all of you for tuning in. It has been an honor to be welcomed into your home for all of these years,” he concluded.

CNN issued a statement thanking Acosta for his contributions, acknowledging his nearly 20-year career at the network. “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 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.”

Following the 2020 election, Acosta moved away from the White House beat to become CNN’s chief domestic correspondent, distancing himself from direct political reporting.

However, his decision to leave comes at a time when CNN is adjusting its approach to politics, aiming for a more neutral stance as Trump readies his bid for a second term.

Acosta’s tenure at CNN was marked by his combative style and a willingness to challenge those in power.

Though many viewers appreciated his approach, CNN’s evolving strategy likely played a role in his departure. Although his next steps remain unclear, Acosta’s exit signifies a major change for the network as it continues to reshape its political coverage.

CNN recently revealed a significant restructuring that includes the elimination of 200 jobs, roughly 6% of its workforce, as part of a shift toward prioritizing digital media, according to Thompson. The layoffs primarily affected behind-the-scenes roles like producers, editors, and other non-air personnel vital to TV operations.

Thompson, who previously helped the New York Times transition to a digital-first model, laid out his vision in an internal message. “Our objective is a simple one: to shift CNN’s gravity towards the platforms and products where the audience themselves are shifting,” he said.

CNN’s ongoing transformation includes reducing its cable TV operations while expanding its digital offerings, including a news streaming service and a lifestyle-oriented digital product. Warner Bros Discovery, CNN’s parent company, has invested $70 million into these digital changes. Despite the layoffs, CNN plans to create at least 100 new positions in digital media.

CNN is not the only news organization making cuts; NBC News, The Washington Post, and the Associated Press have also announced layoffs as part of broader cost-reduction initiatives.

The restructuring follows CNN’s struggle to maintain viewership, especially after Trump’s election victory. In December, the network saw a drop in web traffic, reaching a two-year low of 90.5 million unique visits, down from 175.5 million in 2020.

{Matzav.com}