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The Farewell of Jim Acosta, the Journalist Trump Expelled from the White House
The renowned journalist started his activity as an "independent". Another effect of Trump's arrival in the White House?
Jim Acosta, journalist and former chief White House correspondent for CNN, has announced his departure from the network after nearly 20 years of political coverage. His exit comes amid a restructuring of CNN’s programming and disagreements over a proposed time slot change for his show.
Jim Acosta began his journalism career at various local television stations before joining CNN in 2007. He gained prominence covering presidential campaigns and international conflicts, but his notoriety grew significantly during Donald Trump’s first presidency.
As the White House correspondent, Acosta engaged in multiple confrontations with Trump and his administration. In 2018, during a press conference, he persistently questioned the president about statements regarding a migrant caravan. The Trump administration responded by revoking his White House press credentials, leading to a legal battle that CNN won after suing in defense of press freedom.
Now, Acosta is the protagonist again: according to The New York Times, CNN proposed moving Acosta’s show to a midnight slot, which led to a disagreement that ultimately resulted in his departure. The network explained that this adjustment was part of a broader reorganization of its programming lineup, with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown taking over his time slot.
Reports indicate that Acosta resisted the change, viewing it as an attempt to sideline him into a less prominent time slot. The New York Times also noted that Acosta still had a year remaining on his contract but opted to explore new opportunities instead.
In a video on his personal Substack website, he explained what he is looking for in his future.
Acosta’s confrontational style generated both praise and criticism. To some, he represented aggressive journalism that challenged official narratives and held power to account. To others, his approach was seen as activism that blurred the lines of journalistic objectivity.
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The Guardian highlights that Acosta became a symbol of media resistance against the Trump administration’s attempts to discredit the press. His frequent clashes with the former president were used by Trump to reinforce his rhetoric about “fake news” and alleged bias in traditional media.
One of the first in respond was Donald Trump who said in X the following: "Wow, really good news! Jim Acosta, one of the worst and most dishonest reporters in journalistic history, a major sleazebag, has been relegated by CNN Fake News to the Midnight hour, “Death Valley,” because of extraordinarily BAD RATINGS (and no talent!). Word is that he wants to QUIT, and that would be even better. Jim is a major loser who will fail no matter where he ends up. Good luck Jim!".
Acosta’s departure comes at a time when CNN is facing audience and profitability challenges. According to The Washington Post, the network recently announced layoffs affecting approximately 200 employees as part of its transition to new digital formats.
Jim Acosta’s departure from CNN marks the end of a significant chapter in U.S. political coverage. His legacy as a White House correspondent and his role in the debate over press freedom will continue to be discussed in contemporary journalism. His next move and the impact of his exit on CNN will be closely watched in an evolving media landscape.
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