Trump celebrates Jim Acosta’s exit from CNN: ‘Good news’

Minutes before CNN anchor Jim Acosta announced his departure from the network, President Trump had already weighed in on his Truth Social platform, celebrating the news.

“Wow, really good news! Jim Acosta, one of the worst and most dishonest reporters in journalistic history, a major sleazebag, has been relegated by CNN Fake News to the Midnight hour,” Trump wrote Tuesday morning, referencing reports the network had offered Acosta a less desirable time slot on the cable channel.

“Word is that he wants to QUIT, and that would be even better,” the president added. “Jim is a major loser who will fail no matter where he ends up. Good luck Jim!”

Acosta confirmed at the end of his Tuesday newscast he had decided to leave the network “after careful consideration and another time slot CNN offered me.”

“I’ll have more to say about my plans in the coming days,” the veteran news anchor said. “But until then, I want to thank all of you for tuning in. It has been an honor to be welcomed into your homes, for all these years.”

Acosta was one of CNN’s leading journalists covering Trump’s first term and was known for his often-pointed questioning and sparring matches with top White House aides and at times the president himself.

After one particularly fiery exchange at The White House in 2018 during which Acosta refused to give up a microphone, Trump’s press team pulled the reporter’s press pass before later reinstating it.

As part of his parting message to viewers on Tuesday, Acosta did not reference Trump but said “don’t give into the lies, don’t give in to the fear hold on to the truth and to hope.”

His departure follows a major shake-up of the network’s programming and personnel announced last week.