Jim Acosta confirms departure from CNN with defiant farewell, asks viewers not to 'give in to the lies'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Jim Acosta announced his departure from the network during his final CNN Newsroom broadcast on Tuesday, January 28, just before 11 am ET.

Ending his segment with a heartfelt and defiant plea, Acosta looked into the camera and said, “One final message—don’t give in to the lies. Don’t give in to the fear. Hold on to the truth and to hope.”

Why did Jim Acosta leave CNN?

Jim Acosta urged viewers to use their platforms to speak out, saying, “Record that message. Post it on your social media so people can hear from you too.”

Acosta’s departure comes amid significant reshuffling at CNN under the leadership of CEO Mark Thompson.

Earlier this month, it was leaked that Acosta would be removed from his 10 am slot, a move that reportedly blindsided the seasoned anchor, according to Daily Mail.

Despite steady ratings, his show is being replaced by 'The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.'

CNN offered Acosta a late-night slot from midnight to 2 am, branding it as 'West Coast primetime,' along with a relocation to Los Angeles.

Acosta declined the offer, opting instead to leave the network entirely.

Rumors suggest the decision to remove Acosta from his morning slot aligns with CNN’s broader strategy to appeal to a wider audience amid declining viewership.

Jim Acosta's storied career at CNN

Jim Acosta, who joined CNN in 2007, rose to prominence for his tenacious political reporting and direct confrontations with figures of power.

His infamous 2018 clash with President Donald Trump during a White House press briefing, led to the suspension of his press credentials.

However, Acosta revealed that his proudest career moment came in 2016 during a trip to Cuba to cover then-President Barack Obama’s historic visit.

Reflecting on his opportunity to question Cuban leader Raul Castro, Acosta said, “As the son of a Cuban refugee, I took home this lesson: It is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant."

"The press must hold power to account," he added.

What next for Jim Acosta?

While Jim Acosta has not disclosed specific details about his next role, he assured viewers that he remains committed to journalism and holding those in power accountable.

The 53-year-old journalist hinted at future plans, promising to reveal his next career move in the coming days.

“I’ve always tried to do that here at CNN, and I plan to keep doing it in the future,” he said during his farewell.

Acosta’s departure marks the end of an 18-year era at CNN.