CNN Shakes Up Lineup: Jim Acosta’s Surprising Exit Raises Questions

Jim Acosta, CNN’s most notorious Trump antagonist, is leaving the network after being banished to the TV graveyard of midnight timeslots. Donald Trump wasted no time celebrating the exit of the reporter who constantly attacked his administration and was once temporarily banned from the White House, calling Acosta “one of the worst and most dishonest reporters in journalistic history.”

Trump Takes Victory Lap Over Acosta’s Exit

After nearly two decades at CNN, Jim Acosta announced his departure following the network’s decision to move his morning show to a midnight timeslot. Former President Donald Trump immediately celebrated on social media, declaring it “really good news” and labeling Acosta “a major sleazebag” with “extraordinarily LOW RATINGS.”

CNN’s programming shake-up comes amid broader changes at the network as it attempts to moderate its coverage and move away from its previous left-leaning stance. The network has recently reduced its workforce by 6% and restructured its programming lineup, with plans to move Wolf Blitzer into Acosta’s former 10 a.m. slot.

Acosta’s Contentious History With Trump

Acosta became infamous for his confrontational approach toward the Trump administration, culminating in a 2018 incident where his White House press credentials were revoked. The ban came after a particularly heated exchange where Trump told Acosta “that’s enough” as the reporter refused to surrender the microphone to a White House intern.

BREAKING: Jim Acosta just announced he is leaving CNN. President Trump wished him "good luck" in his future.

This was how Acosta signed off for the last time:

I just wanted to end today’s show by thanking all of the wonderful people who work behind the scenes at this network.… pic.twitter.com/tQoarO1FPV

— Caleb Parke (@calebparke) January 28, 2025

CNN sued the Trump administration over the press pass revocation, resulting in a federal judge ordering the White House to reinstate Acosta’s credentials. Throughout Trump’s presidency, Acosta positioned himself as a self-appointed watchdog, frequently interrupting and arguing with Trump during press conferences.

CNN’s Shifting Coverage Strategy

Acosta’s departure signals CNN’s continued shift away from personalities strongly associated with anti-Trump coverage. In his farewell message, Acosta urged viewers to “Don’t give in to the lies” and “Don’t give in to fear,” typical of his dramatic rhetoric throughout the Trump years.

“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.”

The network’s official statement attempted to paint Acosta’s confrontational style as principled journalism rather than partisan antagonism. Acosta now plans to launch a Substack column, joining other liberal journalists who have moved from legacy media to independent platforms.

Acosta’s departure comes as CNN continues its gradual course correction under new leadership, shifting away from the overtly anti-Trump positioning that defined its coverage during the previous administration. Trump supporters view the network’s programming changes and Acosta’s exit as vindication of their long-standing criticism of CNN’s biased reporting.

Trump’s final jab at his media nemesis summed up the contentious relationship: “Jim is a major loser who will fail no matter where he ends up.” For many conservative viewers, Acosta’s departure represents the overdue comeuppance for a journalist who abandoned objectivity in favor of becoming the resistance’s White House correspondent.