Jim Acosta, a prominent anchor for CNN, announced plans to exit the network. The Status newsletter reported on this development on Monday, January 27, 2025, and Acosta confirmed it during his final broadcast on January 28.
It appears that Acosta’s departure follows a proposed schedule change by CNN’s top executive, Mark Thompson. Thompson had suggested moving Acosta’s well-received morning show to a late-night slot, a proposal that coincided with Donald Trump’s return to political prominence.
Thompson’s proposal involved moving Acosta’s daily show, CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta, from its current 10 a.m. slot to a late-night slot from midnight to 2 a.m. ET. The executive believed this change could boost prime-time viewership on the West Coast and draw global audiences through streaming platforms.
However, a source speaking with the Status newsletter said, “The network wants to sideline Acosta as a concession to Trump. A midnight slot is not a credible offer considering his program’s strong ratings within the network.”
The proposal’s timing, which syncs with Trump’s return to the White House, is worth noting due to Acosta’s past confrontations with Trump. These disagreements led to Acosta’s press pass being revoked in 2018 following a heated exchange at a press conference.
During that 2018 incident, Trump criticized Acosta while an aide tried to take the mic from him. According to Newsweek, Trump stated, “CNN should be ashamed of itself having you work for them. You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldn’t be working for CNN.”
Another argument between Trump and Acosta occurred during a 2020 press briefing. Acosta questioned Trump’s honesty, which led to Trump criticizing Acosta’s professional reputation.
These quarrels mainly revolved around the border wall controversy. Acosta disputed Trump’s claims of a fabricated border crisis to justify wall construction, which resulted in Trump attacking Acosta and CNN’s credibility.
The programming changes would also affect veteran anchor Wolf Blitzer, the 76-year-old host of The Situation Room. The proposed changes suggested moving Blitzer to a morning slot alongside Pamela Brown, potentially extending his broadcast time by an hour.
These changes are part of Warner Bros. Discovery restructuring move. The company plans to invest $70 million in enhancing digital content and creating new properties in areas such as health and wellness. The restructuring might also see more production staff move to CNN’s Atlanta, Georgia, facilities to reduce costs.
Before announcing his potential schedule change, Acosta gained attention when he displayed a bright pink sign during his broadcast that read, “I march for Jim Acosta and a free press,” a contribution from a CNN fan.
Acosta has been a staunch advocate for journalism, stating that “we are not the enemy of the people we are the defender of the people.” He emphasized the critical roles of journalists, including seeking truth, telling stories, amplifying underrepresented voices, exposing injustice, and holding the powerful accountable.
A CNN insider expressed disappointment, saying, “Many viewers like Jim… if there is anyone who could make the overnight go, it’s him. It’s sad to see him go.”
Acosta was reportedly taken aback by the proposed programming change, as he “was not under the impression that his show was in danger of being chopped,” according to network sources.
A CNN insider commented on Acosta’s decision to potentially terminate his contract, “It takes courage.”
Acosta addressed his audience during his broadcast on Tuesday, January 28, marking the end of his nearly two-decade tenure at CNN. During his time at the network, Acosta rose through the ranks to become the chief domestic correspondent and hosted the 10 a.m. ET Newsroom show for almost a year.
According to someone familiar with the situation, Acosta is considering exploring new opportunities independently, possibly by creating a digital subscription platform featuring his interviews and investigative reports.
