Where Is Jim Acosta Going After CNN? The Inside Scoop on His Next Move
So, Jim Acosta is out at CNN—after 18 years of fiery debates, viral press conference showdowns, and a reputation as one of cable news’ most polarizing figures. The big question now: What’s next for the journalist who never shied away from a fight? From midnight time slots to launching his own media empire, let’s dive into the latest on Acosta’s post-CNN chapter.
The Exit: “Don’t Give In to the Lies”
When Jim Acosta signed off from CNN for the last time in January 2025, he left viewers with a mic-drop moment. “Don’t give in to the lies. Don’t give in to the fear,” he declared, taking one final swipe at Donald Trump’s rhetoric. At 53, Acosta isn’t just walking away from a job—he’s closing a career-defining era.
His departure wasn’t a quiet one. CNN praised him as a “fierce defender of the First Amendment” in their farewell statement, but let’s be real: Moving his show to a midnight slot felt like a not-so-subtle hint. (Imagine going from sparring with presidents to competing with infomercials for eyeballs.) Acosta, ever the fighter, chose to bow out on his own terms. “I plan to go on holding power to account,” he vowed. So… how?
From White House Roars to Digital Doors: Acosta’s Next Act
According to Variety, Acosta isn’t retiring—he’s rebooting. Insiders say he’s plotting a digital subscription platform where he’ll host deep-dive interviews, investigative reports, and unfiltered political commentary. Think of it as a hybrid of Substack and a premium podcast, but with Acosta’s trademark intensity.
Why go indie? For starters, Acosta’s brand of journalism—part bulldog, part provocateur—doesn’t exactly fit the mold of today’s “both sides” media landscape. Post-2020, CNN has leaned into softer, bipartisan dialogue (see: hiring ex-Fox News star Chris Wallace), leaving less room for Acosta’s Trump-era fireworks. “He wants creative control,” a source close to him revealed. “No more time slot debates. No more corporate red tape.”
And let’s not forget the $$$ factor. With a net worth estimated at $4 million in 2025 (thanks to his CNN salary, bestselling books, and speaking gigs), Acosta has the cushion to gamble on a passion project. If successful, he could join the ranks of Glenn Greenwald or Kara Swisher—journalists who’ve thrived outside traditional networks.
CNN Days: The Rise of a “Rude, Terrible Person”
Rewind to 2007: A 37-year-old Acosta joins CNN after cutting his teeth at CBS News. Over the next 18 years, he becomes the network’s go-to for presidential campaigns, from Obama’s historic 2008 win to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 heartbreak. But it’s his clashes with Trump that turn him into a household name.
Who could forget the 2018 press conference where Trump sneered, “You’re a rude, terrible person,” before yanking Acosta’s press pass? (Spoiler: A judge reinstated it days later.) For Acosta, these battles weren’t just about ratings—they were personal. As the son of a Cuban refugee who fled Castro’s regime, he’s called standing up to authoritarianism “in my DNA.”
Yet his proudest moment wasn’t about Trump. In 2016, he grilled Raul Castro about Cuba’s political prisoners during Obama’s historic visit—a full-circle moment for the Acosta family.
Family First: Divorce, Kids, and Life After the Spotlight
Behind the headlines, Acosta’s personal life has seen its own twists. He married CBS producer Sharon Mobley Stow in 1999, and the pair welcomed two children before divorcing in 2017. Though he’s kept his kids out of the spotlight, friends say they’re now in their early 20s and “his biggest pride.”
Since the split, Acosta’s stayed single—focusing on his career and, more recently, healing from the burnout of covering Trump’s second term. “The guy’s been in combat mode for a decade,” a pal told The Status. “He’s ready to breathe.” Rumor has it he’s eyeing a quieter life in Miami, closer to his Cuban roots.
Legacy and Critics: Love Him or Hate Him, You Can’t Ignore Him
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Acosta loves the spotlight. Critics argue his on-air clashes with Trump sometimes felt performative—more “reality TV” than journalism. But supporters counter that he embodied the press’s role as democracy’s watchdog. “In a world of both-sidesism, Jim picked a side: the truth,” argued Media Matters.
His exit also reflects a broader media shakeup. Traditional networks are bleeding stars (Tucker Carlson, Don Lemon, and now Acosta) as audiences flock to TikTok and podcasts. For Acosta, going digital isn’t just a career move—it’s a survival tactic.
What’s your take? Is Acosta’s digital leap genius… or a gamble? Drop a comment—let’s debate! 😎
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