Jim Acosta's tenure at CNN concluded with an impassioned anti-Trump monologue that highlighted his contentious relationship with the former and current president.
According to the Daily Mail, the veteran newsman announced his departure from CNN during his final broadcast on Tuesday, following reports he rejected a late-night timeslot offered by the network.
The 53-year-old journalist's departure comes amid significant changes at CNN under CEO Mark Thompson's leadership. The network is undergoing a major restructuring that includes approximately 200 staff layoffs and a shift toward digital-first content strategies.
Thompson's restructuring plan involves replacing Acosta's 10 am timeslot with an expanded version of "The Situation Room" featuring Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown. The move reflects CNN's broader strategy to adapt to changing viewer habits and declining cable news viewership.
Prior to his departure announcement, Acosta was offered a midnight to 2 am timeslot, which was presented as a West Coast primetime opportunity that would require relocation to Los Angeles. The veteran anchor declined this alternative position.
During his final broadcast, Acosta delivered these parting words to his audience:
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.
Acosta's 18-year journey at CNN was marked by notable moments, particularly his confrontational coverage of Donald Trump's first presidency. However, he emphasized that his most significant achievement was covering Barack Obama's historic trip to Cuba in 2016.
The departing anchor shared this perspective about his role in journalism:
It is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant. I've always believed it's the job of the press to hold power to account. I've always tried to do that here at CNN, and I plan on going doing all of that in the future.
Throughout his final broadcast, Acosta maintained his characteristic stance on political issues, discussing various topics, including immigration policy and recent Justice Department developments, with guests including Democratic Representatives Mike Quigley and Rosa DeLauro.
Thompson's vision for CNN includes expanding into vertical video content popular on platforms like TikTok, reflecting a strategic pivot toward digital audiences. The network faces challenges in maintaining relevance amid changing media consumption patterns.
The programming changes and staff reductions represent CNN's response to evolving consumer preferences and the broader decline in traditional cable news viewership. Thompson emphasized that these changes are essential for the network's survival in an increasingly digital media landscape.
These developments occur as CNN prepares to launch a new streaming service featuring its prominent personalities, though Acosta will not be part of this initiative following his departure.
Jim Acosta concluded his CNN career after 18 years of service, departing amid significant organizational changes under CEO Mark Thompson's leadership. His exit, marked by pointed criticism of former and current president Donald Trump, reflected the confrontational style that defined much of his tenure at the network. As CNN pivots toward digital-first content and streaming services, Acosta's departure represents both the end of an era and the network's evolution to meet changing media consumption patterns.
