Jim Acosta, the prominent CNN anchor known for his contentious relationship with President Donald Trump, has officially announced his departure from the network after nearly 20 years. His decision comes in the wake of CNN's recent programming shake-up, which included offering him a less favorable midnight time slot.

During his final broadcast, Acosta imparted a poignant message to viewers, stating, “Don’t give in to the lies. Don’t give in to the fear. Hold on to the truth and to hope.” The anchor also reflected on a defining moment in his career—questioning former Cuban leader Raul Castro during Barack Obama's historic 2016 visit to Cuba. He remarked, “As the son of a Cuban refugee, I took home the lesson that it is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant.”

In the final moments of his farewell address, Acosta reiterated the importance of journalistic integrity, a principle he has fiercely defended throughout his tenure at CNN. Following the announcement of his exit, Acosta wasted no time in launching a new independent platform called The Jim Acosta Show on Substack, aimed at fostering discussions on pressing political issues.

In a twist reminiscent of their ongoing feud, Donald Trump quickly took to social media to celebrate Acosta's departure, labeling him a “major loser.” Acosta humorously responded to Trump's comments on social media, stating that Trump seems to suffer from "Acosta Derangement Syndrome.”

Acosta's departure aligns with a broader trend in the media landscape, as seen with several journalists migrating to independent platforms post-CNN, each seeking new avenues to maintain their voice and influence.

CNN acknowledged Acosta's contributions, stating, “Jim has had a long, distinguished nearly 20-year career at CNN, with a track record of standing up to authority, for the First Amendment and for our journalistic freedoms.” For more on Jim Acosta's exit and the implications for CNN, visit NY Times.