Jim Acosta Confirms CNN Exit Live on-Air With Stern Final Statement: ‘Don’t Give Into the Lies’

Kelli Boyle
11 Comments
Jim Acosta's farewell statement on CNN on January 28, 2025
CNN

After weeks of rumors, anchor Jim Acosta confirmed his departure from CNN live on-air on Tuesday, January 28 with a strong message. “Don’t give into the lies,” he warned as he departed the network during the second week of President Donald Trump‘s second term. His statement was given after CNN announced a schedule overhaul for its programming. Last week, a Los Angeles Times report stated that Acosta was considering quitting the network after CNN boss Mark Thompson asked him to move his show to the graveyard shift.

Acosta is one of CNN’s loudest critics of Trump, having become known for his fiery coverage as CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent during Trump’s first term. Acosta confirmed on Tuesday that he carefully considered moving to an alternative timeslot offered by CNN, but he “decided to move on.” The January 28 broadcast was his last at CNN after reporting for the network for nearly two decades (see his statement in the embedded video, below).

“I am grateful to CNN for the nearly 18 years I’ve spent here doing the news,” Acosta said in his final remarks on Tuesday. “People often ask me if the highlight of my career at CNN was at the White House, covering Donald Trump. Actually, no, that moment came here when I covered President Barack Obama’s trip to Cuba in 2016 and had the chance to question the dictator there, Raul Castro, about the island’s political prisoners. As the son of a Cuban refugee, I took home this lesson: It is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant.”

“I have always believed it’s the job of the press to hold power to account,” he continued. “I’ve always tried to do that here at CNN, and 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 on to 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. I’ll have more to say about my plans in the coming days, but 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 these years. That’s the news. Reporting from Washington, I’m Jim Acosta.”

CNN released a statement following Acosta’s final moments on-air. The statement was shared by Brian Stelter, who also was ousted from CNN in 2022 but returned as a Chief Analyst in 2024.

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“Jim has had a long, distinguished nearly 20-year career at CNN, with a track record of standing up to authority, for the first amendment and for our journalistic freedoms,” the network said. “We want to thank him for the dedication and commitment he’s brought to his reporting and wish him the very best in the future.”

CNN Chairman and Chief Executive Mark Thompson asked Acosta to consider moving his news program from a morning time slot to the “graveyard shift,” aka midnight to 2 a.m. ET, in a January 15 phone call.

Asking Acosta to move to a time slot with less viewership just days before Trump was to take office has been construed as CNN trying to capitulate to the whims of the president who threatens press for negative coverage of him.

Jim Acosta



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  1. C

    CyanBottle

    I think you’re doing the best thing Jim. Don’t let the fascists dictate what or when you say. This station has become like Putin’s controlled state TV I fear more will follow. Censorship of news can’t be tolerated. I’m grateful for you standing up for your principles!

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    GreenGoggles

    CNN should be ashamed of themselves. Jim Acosta is a very good journalist and should not have been demoted to graveyard. Corporate media needs to STOP bowing to to the Trump administration. We have t stand up for our freedom and democracy. I AM NOT TUNING INTO CNN ANYMORE

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    GreenCoffee

    I applaud your stellar work and support you, Jim, for your integrity, and I look forward to following you whenever you land.

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    Blue8Ball

    This is another truly great loss for CNN and its viewers. I’ve always enjoyed Jim’s coverage and reporting and his ability to speak and bring up the truth. Boost of luck always Jim. I’ll really miss you 😢

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    PurpleTeepee

    one more reason to not watch cnn

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      GreenCarrot

      Might as well flush CNN down the toilet already...just like MSNBC.

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    GoldScooter

    Thank you for all the many hours of reliable, honest news that you broadcast and which I enjoyed immensely. I will miss you very much but will look forward to seeing you soon elsewhere. Please let us know ASAP. God speed.

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    TellTheTruth

    I quit watching CNN and recommend that you do to. They no longer reporting the news. They seem to want to become Fox propaganda 2. Too many our our "news" sources are lying to the American people every day. When you wake up and realize it, I think you will be angry. If CNN can't just report the news, then I'm out. Sad.

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    RedElephant

    now if we can only get morning Joe to Midnight shift the world wont be so confused about the truth!

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    PurpleDucky

    Goodbye, and good riddance. Where was Acosta through 4 years of covering up Joe Biden's failing faculties and his family corruption?

    Never heard him ONCE say anything against the way the Whitehouse manipulated press coverage and limited the president's \questions and who could ask them.

    He's like all the rest. Just wants to go after Trump, not go after the wrongdoing of WHOEVER is in office.

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      GoldCar

      Oh please, my God you were crying babies for the last 4 years and your all still doing it. Nothing makes you happy except b!ching and complaining. You all need diapers and a passy. Maybe a look in the mirror to see why you can't ever just be quiet. I know I'm sure sicknand tires of all of you whinners!!!