CNN anchor Jim Acosta is facing tough decisions following significant programming changes at the network, which might dramatically alter his career path. Acosta, who has been known for his combative style as the network’s chief White House correspondent during Donald Trump’s first term, may soon find himself on the midnight shift, which many see as less than ideal.
Recently, according to reports from multiple outlets including The Los Angeles Times and Fox News Digital, Acosta has been pitched by CNN Chairman and CEO Mark Thompson to move from his current 10 a.m. Eastern Time slot to the “graveyard shift,” which would have him broadcasting from midnight to 2 a.m. ET. This proposed change has caused stirrings within CNN, with insiders expressing their belief this demotion could result in Acosta exiting the network altogether.
One unnamed staffer reflected on the situation saying, “Acosta is getting hosed by the network,” indicating widespread sympathy for the anchor’s predicament. Acosta’s current weekday program, “CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta,” will be replaced by “The Situation Room” hosted by Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown starting at 10 a.m. ET as part of CNN’s shake-up. Many perceive Acosta's move to the midnight slot as not merely inconvenient but detrimental to his visibility as it caters to fewer viewers.
Thompson’s decision to shift Acosta’s time slot and restructure the lineup is part of broader changes at CNN, which recently announced layoffs affecting around 200 employees as part of its move toward greater focus on digital content. Acosta and CNN are reportedly still discussing the future and executives have indicated they are actively brainstorming options for his new role.
“We are in active discussions with Jim about a new time slot and will have more information to share soon,” said one spokesperson for CNN, recognizing the urgency and sensitivity surrounding Acosta's potential demotion.
Insiders at CNN have characterized Acosta's situation as particularly precarious. The move to late-night viewing could, according to some, be construed as the network’s bid to appease the Trump administration, with some staff believing the network is attempting to adopt a more neutral tone under Thompson’s leadership to navigate Trump’s second administration.
Jim Acosta, who has been with CNN since 2007, has gained notoriety for his confrontational interactions with Trump, eleving both his and the network’s profile significantly. His exchange with Trump during press conferences, such as the incident where he refused to yield the microphone, not only captured public attention but also sparked significant discourse on press freedoms and journalistic integrity.
Despite the recent upheaval, Acosta is credited as being adaptable and skilled enough to manage different programming demands. Sources note, “Acosta is a talented broadcaster who could handle any slot on the network. The midnight thing is shocking [but] it is what it is.” Yet, such reassurances may not be enough to entice him to remain if the move is seen as stripping away his current prominence at CNN.
While it’s been suggested he could transition to the West Coast and move his family to Los Angeles if he accepts the midnight time slot, this is not seen as obligatory. He could potentially continue operating out of the network’s Washington D.C. bureau. This would allow him to maintain familial roots, but the question remains whether he even wants to continue at CNN under these new conditions.
The programming shakeup, which includes moving anchors like Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer around the schedule, serves to underline larger issues within CNN itself and the media's place amid changing political landscapes and viewing habits. With such significant alterations coming, along with CNN’s struggles to engage audiences both during and after the 2024 presidential elections, Acosta’s future remains uncertain.
The developments over the next few weeks could set the tone not only for Acosta but also for how CNN navigates its identity under changing political pressures from the Trump administration, as they look to recalibrate their brand amid fierce competition from rival news networks.
With Jim Acosta's future at CNN hanging precariously, the industry will be watching closely—this could signal broader transformations not just for CNN's lineup but also for the American media's engagement with political discourse and reporting moving forward.