Key Points:

• Jim Acosta announced his departure from CNN after nearly 20 years, choosing to reject a midnight time slot.
• President Trump celebrated the news, calling Acosta a "major loser" and criticizing his journalistic abilities.
• Acosta plans to launch an independent platform on Substack, where he aims to continue his commentary on politics.

After almost two decades in the broadcasting arena, Jim Acosta has officially exited CNN amid a significant shake-up at the network, which has grappled with its editorial direction and audience engagement in recent years. Announcing his departure during his final morning show on January 28, Acosta stated, “Don’t give in to the lies. Don’t give in to the fear. Hold on to the truth and to hope,” directly addressing the political landscape shaped by his long-standing adversary, former President Donald Trump.

Acosta's decision came after he was offered a less desirable midnight time slot, a move which insiders suggested was an effort by CNN’s leadership, particularly CEO Mark Thompson, to ease tensions with Trump as he began his second term. This programming shift also involved placing veteran anchors Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown in more prominent slots, pushing Acosta out of daytime viewing hours, which he had deemed essential to his role as a journalist.

Trump did not hold back in his reaction, taking to his Truth Social platform to comment on Acosta's exit: “Jim Acosta, one of the worst and most dishonest reporters in journalistic history, a major sleazebag, has been relegated to the Midnight hour.” He added that Acosta is a “major loser” who will “fail no matter where he ends up.” Acosta retorted to the president's remarks with a quip about "Acosta Derangement Syndrome," suggesting that Trump's obsession with him remains strong even as he leaves the traditional media landscape.

Reflecting on his career, Acosta recalled a significant moment during his tenure: questioning Cuban leader Raúl Castro during former President Barack Obama’s historic visit to Cuba in 2016. He framed this experience as pivotal, insisting that "it is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant," underscoring his commitment to independent journalism.

Following his departure, Acosta quickly transitioned into his next venture, announcing the launch of "The Jim Acosta Show" on Substack, aiming to cultivate discussions around pressing political issues. His move aligns with a trend among journalists seeking to establish more independent platforms in the wake of their careers in traditional media.

CNN acknowledged Acosta's contribution to the network, stating, “Jim has had a long, distinguished nearly 20-year career at CNN, with a track record of standing up to authority.” While his exit marks a significant moment in the evolution of CNN, it also signals a continuation of the tensions between mainstream media and the political figures they cover.

For more details, visit The New York Times, CNN, or HuffPost.