Jim Acosta Leaves CNN to Pursue Independent Venture on Substack

After concluding his tenure at CNN, Jim Acosta declared his intention to go independent by starting a new show on the platform Substack. With two decades in journalism behind him, Acosta expressed a desire to enter a new phase of his career, assuring his audience that he would be forthright and unapologetic in his future endeavors.

During his sign-off, Acosta delivered a powerful message urging people not to succumb to fear or misinformation, reiterating the importance of holding onto hope and truth. He also had a direct message for President Trump and his followers, suggesting that they have not silenced him and should anticipate his continued presence in the media landscape.

Acosta's decision comes in response to CNN's proposal to shift his program from a prime time slot to a late-night position that many commentators view as a demotion, perhaps intended to placate Trump supporters. The head of CNN, Mark Thompson, characterized the reassignment as part of a broader programming adjustment, though critics argued that it was an attempt to sideline Acosta, who has been an outspoken critic of Trump.

Trump himself reacted to Acosta's departure with derision, labeling him a dishonest reporter and suggesting that his move to a less desirable time slot was a consequence of poor ratings. Despite these criticisms, Acosta remains resolute about the importance of his work and the challenges he faced during the Trump administration.

In his inaugural Substack post, Acosta reflected on the obstacles he encountered during his reporting on Trump, including attempts to undermine his credibility and calls for his dismissal from the White House press corps. He asserted that his commitment to scrutinizing the Trump administration's actions was central to his work at CNN, stating that he and his team did not shy away from tough topics, particularly regarding democracy and the electoral process, even against significant pressures.