Jim Acosta, a prominent figure known for his unhinged attacks on Donald Trump, has reportedly been booted from CNN, according to a report from Status News by Oliver Darcy. The “journalist” communicated his plans to depart following his unceremonious removal from the morning show lineup, a decision made by CNN’s chief executive, Mark Thompson.
Previously host of a 10 AM show, Acosta’s program often achieved higher ratings than some of CNN’s prime-time offerings over the past 11 months. But his unreliability, driven by his rabid hatred of Trump, caused Thompson and the network to remove him from the leading line-up. During Trump’s first term, Acosta was known for embarrassing the network at White House Press Briefings, at one point even wrestling for a microphone with a young female intern.
CNN proposed a shift for Acosta to helm a program from midnight to 2 AM. ET. Marketed as a prime-time slot for the West Coast, this schedule change occurs during a period of typically low cable news viewership.
Sources indicate this offer was not seen as a legitimate continuation of his role, with some interpreting the shift as an attempt by CNN to mend relations with Trump.
“They want to get rid of Acosta to throw a bone to Trump,” Darcy quoted a source as saying.
