Embattled CNN anchor Jim Acosta announced on Tuesday that he is leaving the network — and took an apparent parting shot at the Trump administration by urging viewers not to “give in to the lies.”
Acosta, a former White House correspondent at CNN who often feuded with President Donald Trump during his first term, was reportedly slated to be relegated to the graveyard shift from his current morning slot.
“You may have seen some reports about me and this show. And after giving all of this some careful consideration and weighing an alternative time-slot CNN offered me, I have decided to move on,” Acosta said at the end of his 10 a.m. program.
Acosta will be replaced in the mornings by “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown” as part of a reshuffle of the ratings-challenged lineup by CNN boss Mark Thompson.
Thompson reportedly offered Acosta, who has been at CNN for 18 years, a less-prominent midnight slot but the anchor chose to pull the rip cord..
Acosta said he would announce more about his future plans in the coming days.
“I have always believed it’s the job of the press to hold power to account. I have always tried to do that here at CNN,” Acosta said in his farewell message.
“I plan on doing all of that in the future. One final message – don’t give into the lies. Don’t give into the fear. Hold onto the truth. And to hope, even if you have to get out your phone, record that message. I will not give into the lies. I will not give into the fear. Post it on your social media, so people can hear from you, too.”
“Until then, I want to thank all of you for tuning in. It has been an honor to be welcomed into your home for all of these years,” he added.
This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.