Jim Acosta Departs CNN After Nearly 20 Years, Cites Commitment to Truth

Jim Acosta, a long-standing CNN anchor renowned for his fiery exchanges with former President Donald Trump, announced his departure from the network during his Tuesday morning show. In a heartfelt farewell, Acosta encouraged viewers to remain steadfast against falsehoods and oppression.

“After careful consideration and weighing an alternative time slot CNN offered me, I have decided to move on,” Acosta said. Reflecting on his time at CNN, he highlighted a 2016 interview in Cuba with dictator Raul Castro as a defining moment, noting, “As the son of a Cuban refugee, I learned it’s never a good time to bow down to a tyrant.” He ended with a call to action: “Don’t give in to the lies. Don’t give in to the fear. Hold on to the truth and to hope.”

Acosta’s decision follows CNN’s reshuffling of its daytime programming, offering him a late-night slot widely viewed as a demotion. His departure has sparked conversations about journalistic integrity and the evolving media landscape.

CNN issued a statement honoring Acosta’s nearly two-decade tenure, praising his dedication to journalistic freedoms and his willingness to challenge authority. “Jim has had a long, distinguished career at CNN, standing up for the First Amendment and journalistic freedoms. We wish him the very best in the future,” the statement read.

Acosta‘s exit signifies the close of a significant chapter in CNN’s history. He is remembered for his confrontational reporting during the Trump era. Reactions on social media have been mixed, with some celebrating his defiance of tyranny and others linking his departure to shifts in the political and media climate.