CNN Shifts Jim Acosta’s Show

CNN’s Jim Acosta, once the embodiment of the “resistance” during Donald Trump’s first term, is reportedly facing a drastic demotion that could relegate him to the network’s graveyard shift. According to Oliver Darcy’s Status newsletter, CNN’s new chief, Mark Thompson, is considering a significant shake-up that would move Acosta from his prominent morning slot to a midnight-to-2 a.m. show. This potential move has sparked rumors of a larger agenda at play, with some insiders speculating that the decision may be an attempt to appease Trump, with whom Acosta had a contentious relationship during his first term.

Acosta’s reputation as a polarizing figure has been a double-edged sword for CNN. While his confrontational style made him a hero to Trump critics, it has also become a liability for the network. Thompson’s apparent willingness to sideline Acosta reflects a broader acknowledgment that CNN’s old strategy of catering to anti-Trump resistance viewers is no longer sustainable. With Trump’s return to power, the media landscape is shifting, and CNN needs to evolve to remain relevant.

The potential demotion comes at a time when CNN is in desperate need of reinvention. The network has seen its ratings plummet, with a staggering 49% decline since the days leading up to Election Day. Thompson, who was brought in to clean up the mess left by previous leadership, is clearly not afraid to shake things up. However, the decision to sideline Acosta, one of CNN’s most recognizable figures, may be a signal that Thompson is willing to jettison old icons in favor of a fresh start.

Acosta’s reaction to the news, while not publicly confirmed, seems to align with his reputation for melodrama. Just this week, he delivered an impassioned monologue about the media’s role in “defending the people” as Trump’s second term approaches. The performative display, complete with echoes of the “resistance” aesthetic of Trump’s first term, was widely mocked online. Some critics have long accused Acosta of being more interested in grandstanding than journalism, a reputation that dates back to his clashes with Trump and former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Critics have blasted Acosta for being “self-serving” and “an embarrassment,” arguing that his antics undermine serious journalism. Even former CNN staffers, like Steve Krakauer, have criticized Acosta for making himself the story, rather than focusing on the news. Acosta’s habit of making himself the center of attention has led to memorable moments, such as refusing to relinquish a microphone during a press briefing or repeatedly shouting questions at Trump about his “enemy of the people” comments.

Ironically, Acosta’s potential midnight move could be seen as poetic justice by Trump and his supporters. For years, Acosta positioned himself as the self-proclaimed defender of democracy, a crusader against Trump’s “war on truth.” Now, it seems his crusade may continue under the cover of literal darkness, far away from the prime-time spotlight he once commanded.

As for CNN, the network faces an uphill battle in rebuilding its audience. Deadline recently reported on the network’s post-election viewership collapse, noting that politics-weary audiences have tuned out following Trump’s victory and Kamala Harris’ loss. Whether Mark Thompson’s shakeups, including this potential demotion for Acosta, will be enough to revive the network remains to be seen. One thing is clear, however: Acosta’s era as CNN’s resistance warrior appears to be over.

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