By Charles Switzer
11:51am PST, Jan 28, 2025
Jim Acosta's Emotional Farewell to CNN
Jim Acosta, after nearly 18 years at
CNN, announced his departure with a powerful farewell message to viewers.
R
eflecting on his career, he said, "I have always believed it's the job of the press to hold power to account," urging people to resist lies and fear. Acosta shared that his most meaningful moment wasn't covering President
Donald Trump but questioning
Raul Castro in Cuba as the son of a Cuban refugee. "It is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant," he stated, emphasizing his commitment to truth in his future endeavors.
Some feel that the network "forced" the anchor out with a suggested schedule change.
Here's what happened.
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The Fallout from Acosta's Midnight Demotion
Acosta's departure followed a contentious decision by CNN leadership to offer him the midnight timeslot, a move widely seen as a demotion.
Insiders revealed to
Fox News Digital that Acosta struggled with the choice, with one source noting, "Moving him to the graveyard shift was a slap in his face."
Another insider claimed CNN executives were "apoplectic" over leaks about the offer, further straining relations. The reshuffle replaced Acosta's 10 a.m. slot with
The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown."Can you imagine?" the source said. "He was one of their top-tier, most well-known anchors."
Acosta's Career as Trump's Fiercest Critic
Acosta gained notoriety during Trump's first presidency from 2017 to 2021, often sparring with the administration. His combative style, which included challenging the 45th and now 47th Commander-in-Chief on xenophobic rhetoric and grandstanding at press conferences, earned him a polarizing reputation.
Trump labeled him "fake news" and celebrated his departure on Truth Social, calling him "one of the worst and most dishonest reporters in journalistic history" and "a major sleazebag who will fail no matter where he ends up."
Despite criticism, Acosta maintained, "I'm performing a public service for the good of the country."
The Legacy of Holding Power Accountable
Throughout his career, Acosta positioned himself as a defender of journalistic integrity. He was unapologetic about his confrontational approach, writing in his memoir, The Enemy of the People, "Call me a showboater or a grandstander. My mission is to find the truth."
Acosta's departure comes as media figures debate the role of journalists in democracy, with the former anchor emphasizing, "Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy. It is democracy."
What's Next for Acosta?
While Acosta has yet to announce his next move, he promised viewers updates on his future plans soon. "Until then, I want to thank all of you for tuning in," he said.
Analysts speculate Acosta could pursue independent journalism like ex-CNN fellow anchor
Don Lemon, leveraging his high-profile persona.
His supporters on X praised his decision to leave CNN rather than accept a diminished role, with one user stating, "Jim stood up for himself, just like he stood up to Trump." Whatever comes next, Acosta remains a prominent figure in media.
