Jim Acosta May Quit CNN in Protest of Graveyard Shift Move: Report
CNN anchor Jim Acosta is reportedly threatening to quit the network entirely rather than accept a move to the graveyard shift. The journalist, who currently appears at CNN’s 10 a.m. ET hour, was reportedly pitched a move to the “graveyard shift” (midnight to 2 a.m. ET) by CNN Chairman and Chief Executive Mark Thompson in a January 15 phone call.
Acosta has been a fixture on CNN since 2007 but became known for his fiery critical coverage as the network’s Chief White House correspondent during President Donald Trump‘s first term. Now he could be on the outs, according to a report from The Los Angeles Times. The phone call was first reported by former CNN reporter Oliver Darcy’s Status newsletter. Two people familiar with the ongoing talks confirmed the discussions to LA Times. Acosta and a CNN representative declined to comment for LA Times‘ report. One anonymous source told Fox News Digital that Acosta is “getting hosed” by the network.
Acosta has reportedly not yet made his decision about the offer, but he could stay in his home of Washington, D.C. if he took the graveyard shift instead of moving out to Los Angeles. Asking Acosta to move from the morning shift with its higher viewership to the late-night spot that gets less viewers could be interpreted as a capitulation to the whims of President Trump.
“Acosta is a talented broadcaster who could handle any slot on the network,” a CNN staffer told Fox News Digital. “The midnight thing is shocking [but] it is what it is.”
This wouldn’t be the only shocking schedule change Thompson has carried out in recent weeks. CNN staple Wolf Blitzer and his Situation Room program is reportedly moving from its 6-7 p.m. ET evening slot to daytime.
Darcy wrote in the original Status report that “Thompson, I’m told, delivered the veteran journalist a sudden and strange proposal: Move your show to midnight and anchor it until 2 a.m. ET,” per Mediaite.com. Acosta was reportedly shocked by the request as “he had no reason to believe that his current show would be on the chopping block.”
Acosta was allegedly told that the potential move “had nothing to do with his ratings or the editorial style of his show,” but rather was a part of a plan to rearrange the CNN daytime schedule. Thompson reportedly “pitched the graveyard shift as if it were something of a promotion for Acosta,” Darcy reported.
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The one actual news anchor who attempts to bring us the truth when it is so badly needed and you are going to bow to “the king”! Shame on you, CNN! You’ve lost this viewer!
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B
And another one bends the knee. The only thing Acosta ever did was speak truth to power and try and get honest responses.
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C
I would be relieved if Jim Acosta quits and goes, for example to MSNBC where he would be more appreciated!
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P
He really can't go anywhere to be less appreciated.
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R
Love Jim. He really gets to the truth. He isn't a Trump ass kisser like other's.
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O
Yeah, CNN is afraid of Trump. I prefer Acosta to 2 hours of Pamela Brown in the morning. Sorry I will not be watching, CNN will loose more viewers!!
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O
So true!!! Sorry but she is dull.
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P
Jim Acosta should be given
Jake Tapper’s job.
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O
Told my husband a year ago didn't like where cnn was going that they where leaning in to trumpism and they have proven me right
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G
Jim Acosta is not afraid to confront those putting out misinformation.
There needs to be more reporters that aren't reluctant to do the same. He is not biased, he not afraid to talk truth to power.
CNN PLEASE DO NOT KISS THE ASS OF A CRIMINAL. I always believed you were neutral. Please don't lose Jim!
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As a diligent CNN viewer, removing Jim Acosta would be damaging to the station. It is clearly evident Jim Acosta is ONE of the BEST anchors at CNN as he is more experienced & his reporting is truthful & fair. If Jim Acosta is removed from CNN I will definitely change my news station!!
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C
Jim Acosta is the only person I watch on CNN. If he leaves, which I don't blame him at all, I hope he goes somewhere else so I can continue to watch his shows. CNN has made bad decisions the last few years. Now they want to do this to a highly rated anchor? They'll just lose more viewers.
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Love Acosta he needs to leave cnn they're getting so political instead of telling the truth about tdump
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"tdump"
The children are posting again.. LOL
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Acosta is a pompous egomaniac who thinks that throwing on air tantrums will get him ahead..
Looks like that fizzled.
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J
only cnn i can stomach is forensic file repeats from 9pm to 5 am. cnn is close to the pure shit category for news as fox news.
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O
I think it’s disgusting that CNN would kowtow to Trump. Jim Acosta is the only anchor who consistently has the courage to tell the truth regardless of who is spreading the lies and conspiracy theories.
CNN will lose another viewer if they force Mr. Acosta to quit. I will follow him if he goes elsewhere and will stop watching CNN.
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CNN is dead to me.
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Losing the best show will bring down cnn ratings
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Even CNNLOL has moments of clarity "offering" a move to the “graveyard shift” (midnight to 2 a.m. ET). Also known as an adios dmb-sht. And decades late but better than never........Buh Bye loser
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CNN knows if it was to continue on their past format of 24 hour Trump bashing they would soon ceast to exist. Acosta is the most biased of the CNN bunch and not a news reporter. MSNBC is more his style but they too are in deep trouble.
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