Home US CNN in turmoil as anti-Trump star Jim Acosta ‘threatens to quit’ after closing move at midnight

CNN in turmoil as anti-Trump star Jim Acosta ‘threatens to quit’ after closing move at midnight

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Jim Acosta has lost his prized 10am slot and is now said to be considering leaving the network

CNN host Jim Acosta is reportedly considering quitting the network after being demoted from his prized 10 a.m. show.

On Thursday, rumors that Acosta has lost his morning show were confirmed by CNN CEO Mark Thompson when 200 layoffs were announced at the TV division.

He is then replaced by The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown.

The New York Times reported that Acosta is in talks with CNN bosses about another, as yet unconfirmed role.

But claims that the anti-Trump anchor is destined to be placed in a graveyard at midnight are said to have him rethinking his future.

The LA Times reported that Acosta could now “leave the network, according to people familiar with his thinking.”

In the meantime, Fox News reported that Acosta is “being hosed” inside CNN’s offices for his “shocking” demotion.

An insider suggested that accepting a midnight-to-2am slot is his “only way forward” at the network.

Acosta’s ratings at 10am are good, but his infamous past clashes with Donald Trump are said to have made network bosses nervous as Trump begins his second term as president.

His verbal sparring with the government and the president himself at one point caused him to lose his press pass, before CNN successfully sued for violation of constitutional rights to get it back.

However, network chiefs would like to tone down the theatrical vibe and believe moving Acosta to “the Siberia of television” is the way to do that.

Jim Acosta has lost his prized 10am slot and is now said to be considering leaving the network

The LA Times also reported that Acosta’s proposed midnight show would mean he would report to the LA bureau, instead of the Washington office near his home.

The new timing would mean the anchor will be in the air between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM PT, which is primetime on the West Coast.

However, sources said the fallout was swift, with CNN boss Mark Thompson leaking “apolectic” details of the private conversation.

Several other staffers are said to be furious at the proposals, which they say bend the knee to Trump.

Acosta’s relationship with the president was so sour during the first term that the White House revoked his press pass in 2018 after a heated clash.

That decision was later challenged when Acosta and CNN presented it before a federal judge.

Acosta’s back-and-forth with Trump went viral and resulted in Trump telling him to “sit down” as aides wrestled the microphone from his hands.

CNN CEO Mark Thompson would like to avoid some of the drama that characterized Acosta's relationship with President Trump during his first term.

CNN CEO Mark Thompson would like to avoid some of the drama that characterized Acosta’s relationship with President Trump during his first term.

Acosta has a stormy relationship with Trump, who previously called him

Acosta has a stormy relationship with Trump, who previously called him “fake news” for his tough questioning during press conferences

Trump said: “CNN should be ashamed that you work for them. You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldn’t be working for CNN.”

Then, during a separate press conference in 2020, Acosta said, “Mr. President, I think our record of delivering the truth is sometimes a lot better than yours.”

“Let me tell you about your record, your record is so bad you should be ashamed of yourself,” Trump responded. “You have the worst record in the history of broadcasting.”

On another occasion, Acosta asked Trump, “What do you say to critics who say you are creating a national emergency?” That you’re here inventing a national emergency to get your wall.”

Trump snapped back: “Your question is a very political question because you have an agenda. You are CNN. You are fake news.”

Acosta’s move is the latest in a series of shakeups the network is reportedly considering, and would clear the way for longtime anchor Wolf Blitzer, 76, to slide into a new morning timeslot to replace him.

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