The Status newsletter revealed on Monday, January 27, that CNN anchor Jim Acosta planned to leave the network. This information was confirmed via private discussions where Acosta shared his intentions, possibly terminating his contract. This was confirmed by Acosta during his last broadcast on January 28.

Mark Thompson, CNN’s top executive, had recently suggested moving Acosta’s popular morning show to a late-night slot, aligning with Donald Trump’s return to power.

Thompson reportedly discussed a plan with Acosta to reschedule his show, CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta, from its current 10 a.m. slot to midnight to 2 a.m. ET. Thompson reportedly saw this late-night slot as an opportunity to gain prime-time viewership on the West Coast and attract global audiences through streaming platforms.

A source, in conversation with the Status newsletter, stated, “The network wants to sideline Acosta as a concession to Trump. A midnight slot is not a credible offer considering his program’s strong ratings within the network.”

The proposed timing sparked interest as it coincided with Trump’s White House return. Acosta’s past interactions with Trump have been contentious, resulting in Acosta’s press pass revocation in 2018 after a fiery press conference exchange.

During the 2018 incident, Trump criticized Acosta as an aide attempted to take the microphone from him. Trump remarked, “CNN should be ashamed of itself having you work for them. You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldn’t be working for CNN,” as reported by Newsweek.

Another contentious moment occurred during a 2020 press briefing when Acosta questioned Trump’s truthfulness. Trump retaliated by criticizing Acosta’s professional reputation and claiming he had the “worst record” in broadcasting.

The altercations primarily revolved around the border wall controversy. Acosta challenged Trump over claims of an artificially created border crisis to justify wall construction, to which Trump responded by attacking Acosta and CNN’s credibility, labeling them as “fake news” and accusing Acosta of having a political agenda.

The proposed programming changes would have also affected veteran anchor Wolf Blitzer, 76, host of The Situation Room on weekdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET. The plan suggested moving Blitzer to a new morning slot with anchor Pamela Brown, possibly extending his airtime by an hour.

These proposed changes are part of a larger restructuring plan by Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company. The company intends to invest $70 million in expanding digital content and developing new properties in areas like health and wellness. The restructuring may also involve relocating more production staff to CNN’s Atlanta, Georgia facilities to decrease costs.

Prior to the announcement of his potential schedule change, Acosta drew attention by displaying a bright pink sign on his broadcast that read, “I march for Jim Acosta and a free press,” contributed by a CNN fan.

Acosta has always advocated for the role of journalism, stating that “we are not the enemy of the people we are the defender of the people.” He outlined the crucial roles of journalists, which include truth-seeking, storytelling, amplifying underrepresented voices, exposing injustice, and holding power to account.

One CNN insider expressed regret, stating, “Many viewers like Jim… if there is anyone who could make the overnight go it’s him. It’s sad to see him go.”

Acosta was reportedly surprised by the proposed programming change, as he “was not under the impression that his show was in danger of being chopped,” according to network sources.

A CNN insider commented on Acosta’s decision to possibly terminate his contract, stating, “It takes courage.”

Acosta addressed his listeners during his Tuesday, January 28 broadcast, marking an end to his nearly 20-year tenure. Throughout his time at CNN, Acosta climbed the ranks to become the network’s chief domestic correspondent and has hosted the 10 a.m. ET Newsroom show for almost a year.

According to a person familiar with the matter, Acosta is likely to explore new opportunities independently. This could involve creating a digital subscription platform that showcases his interviews and investigative reporting.