CNN’s Jim Acosta Faces Midnight Shift Amid Network Shakeup

WASHINGTON, D.C. — CNN anchor Jim Acosta, known for his contentious exchanges with former President Donald Trump, is reportedly being asked to move to a midnight timeslot, a shift critics say could diminish his prominence as Trump prepares for a potential second term.

Acosta, who rose to fame as CNN’s chief White House correspondent during Trump’s first administration, was pitched by CNN CEO Mark Thompson to host a two-hour show from midnight to 2 a.m. ET, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The proposed move has sparked backlash among CNN’s liberal audience, with some accusing the network of appeasing 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.” The staffer added that the move appears to be Acosta’s only path forward at the network.

If Acosta refuses the shift, he may exit CNN, according to The Los Angeles Times. The midnight slot would overlap with primetime on the West Coast, airing from 9-11 p.m. PT, and could require Acosta to relocate to CNN’s Los Angeles bureau, though his family is rooted in Washington, D.C.

CNN confirmed that discussions are ongoing. “We are in active discussions with Jim about a new time slot and will have more information to share soon,” a spokesperson said.

Acosta joined CNN in 2007 but gained national attention during Trump’s presidency for his confrontational style in the White House briefing room. His refusal to surrender a microphone during a heated 2018 press conference with Trump became a defining moment of his career. The White House briefly revoked his press credentials, but CNN successfully fought to have them restored.

During the Biden administration, Acosta transitioned to an anchor role, first on weekends and later on weekdays. However, with Trump’s potential return to the White House, CNN’s leadership appears to be recalibrating its approach. The network’s recent programming overhaul, which excludes Acosta from its new lineup, has fueled speculation about his future.

“They want to get rid of Acosta to throw a bone to Trump,” a media executive told The Independent. “Midnight is not a serious offer when his ratings are among the best on the network.”

Acosta has not publicly commented on the proposed shift but hinted at his uncertain status during a recent broadcast. “Still reporting from Washington. I’m Jim Acosta,” he said, emphasizing the word “still” as he signed off.

Meanwhile, CNN’s broader restructuring includes layoffs affecting 6% of its workforce as the network pivots to a digital-first strategy. The changes have drawn criticism from staffers, who described CEO Mark Thompson’s remarks about the layoffs as “tone deaf and insensitive.”

As CNN navigates its post-Trump identity, Acosta’s role remains in flux, leaving his future at the network uncertain.