Trump’s Most Hated Anchor Is Reportedly Considering Quitting CNN
News anchor Jim Acosta is reportedly questioning his future at CNN after the network’s ensuing efforts to reshuffle its broadcast roster relegated him to the graveyard shift.
Status, a newsletter written by former CNN media correspondent Oliver Darcy, was the first to report that Acosta had been offered a proposal by CNN Chairman and Chief Executive Mark Thompson to take on a midnight Eastern time newscast instead of his usual 10 a.m., daytime show.
Two sources familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the discussions to the Los Angeles Times and added that Acosta has yet to make a decision on the new slot.
While Acosta’s newscast would air on the East Coast at midnight, or the “Siberia of television news” as characterized by Darcy, it would still overlap with primetime programming on the West Coast and be broadcast globally.
The LA Times' sources additionally noted that CNN has made it clear to Acosta that he would not need to move to Los Angeles to helm the show, as he and his family are currently based in Washington. However, other sources familiar with Acosta’s thinking, told the outlet that it’s likely the news anchor will leave the network altogether if he refuses his new post.
Another CNN staffer echoed a similar sentiment and told Fox News Digital that they believe Acosta is “getting hosed” by the network.
“Acosta is a talented broadcaster who could handle any slot on the network,” the staffer said. “The midnight thing is shocking [but] it is what it is.”
“He could have a real slot, but the choice is to not give him one,” the staffer added, noting that Acosta’s midnight time slot might be his only chance to stay at the network in light of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Acosta is one of Trump’s staunchest critics and gained particular notoriety during his coverage of Trump’s first term on CNN. Should Acosta accept the new slot, it is likely many will see the move as CNN pandering to the new president who has repeatedly voiced his disdain toward the network.
In a statement to The Daily Beast, a CNN spokesperson shared: “We are in active discussions with Jim about a new time slot and will have more information to share soon.”
Meanwhile, as Acosta mulls over his future at CNN, his 10 a.m. slot is slated to be replaced with The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown.
CNN is on the precipice of a massive makeover as 200 staffers were confirmed to have been laid off in a memo sent by Thompson on Thursday, who added that the network will be pivoting its focus from television programming to digital news.