CNN anchor Jim Acosta on Tuesday said he is leaving the network after nearly two decades, choosing to quit rather than take a late-night time slot. Acosta, who has drawn attention for his confrontational reporting style, particularly during the Trump administration, announced his decision at the end of his 10 a.m. show.
This comes shortly after the network programming decision at CNN, which had already shuffled aging anchor Wolf Blitzer into Acosta’s morning slot; he will co-anchor with Pamela Brown. The network offered Acosta a new midnight time slot, moving him to Los Angeles where his show would air at 9 p.m. Pacific Time and simulcast on CNN International. He declined.
Acosta’s resignation prompted an immediate reaction from former President Donald Trump, posting on Truth Social that the report was “good” and declaring Acosta “a major loser.” Speculative reporting aside, CNN said this change in the schedule was not politically motivated.
Reflecting on his time as a journalist, Acosta said that one of the most memorable stories he covered was former President Barack Obama’s visit to Cuba in 2016. He said that moment reinforced in his mind the position journalism stood for: To be the watchword against those in power.
Acosta closed his final broadcast with a message to viewers: “Don’t give in to the lies. Don’t give in to the fear. Hold on to the truth. And to hope.”
In a statement, CNN said that it recognized Acosta’s work for the company and commended his commitment to press freedom and the First Amendment. But he is not sure what comes next. But to his audience, Acosta promised that he would be back, keeping tabs on those in power.
To Read More: Global