Jim Acosta is leaving CNN after 20 years: reasons for departure are known
29 january 2025 в 03:13
Jim Acosta, CNN’s chief internal correspondent, is leaving the network after nearly 20 years, he confirmed on Tuesday. Acosta, at least partially known for his explosive exchange of opinions with President Donald Trump during a 2018 press conference, where Trump pointed his finger at the reporter and said that CNN «should be ashamed» to have him among their ranks.
Find out below what lies behind the decision to step away from his role at the iconic cable news network.
Born Abilio James Acosta, a journalist, grew up in Virginia and studied at James Madison University. After earning a bachelor’s degree in mass communications with a minor in political science, Jim began his career on the airwaves of WMAL radio station in Washington, before becoming a reporter for NBC WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee. He worked at various stations in Fort Worth, Chicago, and Dallas before becoming a correspondent for CBS News in New York, and then in Atlanta.
He joined CNN in 2007, appearing on American Morning and Ballot Bowl before being promoted to national political correspondent in 2012. He became the White House chief correspondent in 2018, and in 2021 became the chief internal correspondent and weekend anchor.
According to the New York Post, the long-awaited television journalist was «expectedly» let go from the network after his morning show was replaced by The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown, and he was allegedly removed from all programs. The network also asked him to host a show at midnight just days before Trump’s second inauguration.
The forecast turned out to be true. «You may have seen some reports about me and this show, and after careful consideration and weighing the alternative offered to me by CNN, I have decided to step away», - confirmed the long-time on-air host on Tuesday, January 28, according to Fox News.
«I have always believed that the press’s job is to hold power to account. I have always tried to do that here, at CNN», - Acosta continued. «I plan to continue to do that in the future. One last message — do not give in to lies. Do not give in to fear. Hold on to the truth. And to hope, even if you have to take out your phone, record this message. I will not give in to lies. I will not give in to fear. Post this on your social media so people can hear you too. Until then, I want to thank all of you for watching. It has been an honor to be welcomed into your homes all these years», - he concluded his farewell message.
CNN also released its statement on the same day. «Jim has had a long, outstanding nearly 20-year career at CNN, with a history of fighting power, for the First Amendment, and for our journalistic freedoms», - the statement read, according to the New York Post. «We want to thank him for the dedication and diligence he brought to his work, and wish him all the best in the future»
Find out below what lies behind the decision to step away from his role at the iconic cable news network.
Born Abilio James Acosta, a journalist, grew up in Virginia and studied at James Madison University. After earning a bachelor’s degree in mass communications with a minor in political science, Jim began his career on the airwaves of WMAL radio station in Washington, before becoming a reporter for NBC WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee. He worked at various stations in Fort Worth, Chicago, and Dallas before becoming a correspondent for CBS News in New York, and then in Atlanta.
He joined CNN in 2007, appearing on American Morning and Ballot Bowl before being promoted to national political correspondent in 2012. He became the White House chief correspondent in 2018, and in 2021 became the chief internal correspondent and weekend anchor.
According to the New York Post, the long-awaited television journalist was «expectedly» let go from the network after his morning show was replaced by The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown, and he was allegedly removed from all programs. The network also asked him to host a show at midnight just days before Trump’s second inauguration.
The forecast turned out to be true. «You may have seen some reports about me and this show, and after careful consideration and weighing the alternative offered to me by CNN, I have decided to step away», - confirmed the long-time on-air host on Tuesday, January 28, according to Fox News.
«I have always believed that the press’s job is to hold power to account. I have always tried to do that here, at CNN», - Acosta continued. «I plan to continue to do that in the future. One last message — do not give in to lies. Do not give in to fear. Hold on to the truth. And to hope, even if you have to take out your phone, record this message. I will not give in to lies. I will not give in to fear. Post this on your social media so people can hear you too. Until then, I want to thank all of you for watching. It has been an honor to be welcomed into your homes all these years», - he concluded his farewell message.
CNN also released its statement on the same day. «Jim has had a long, outstanding nearly 20-year career at CNN, with a history of fighting power, for the First Amendment, and for our journalistic freedoms», - the statement read, according to the New York Post. «We want to thank him for the dedication and diligence he brought to his work, and wish him all the best in the future»
© Kolganov Andrey
