By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-28 22:12:34 | Updated at 2025-01-30 08:26:34
1 day ago
Jim Acosta is without a network after announcing his departure from CNN Tuesday - and he has already launched his own journalistic venture.
In a reshared video posted to X Tuesday afternoon, the anchor announced a brand-new Substack that's already up and running - while confirming his on-air appearance only hours before had been his last.
'Welcome to my new venture,' Acosta told more than 2million followers on the platform, while repeating a warning he delivered during his final broadcast.
The video was published shortly after two people familiar with the matter told The New York Times the journalist was already pondering his next steps, including a potential launch of his own journalistic enterprise.
Hours before, the anchor engaged in a very public split from the station, taking shots at Donald Trump in the process. There, Acosta framed his old enemy as 'a tyrant', after devoting much of the hour to report on his recent moves.
The newly announced Substack, meanwhile, will see him rub shoulders with other who have left their respective legacy news stations for more autonomy, including the former CNN staffer who broke the story last week, Oliver Darcy.
Darcy's success with a newsletter format shows a shifting landscape in terms of news - one CEO Mark Thompson has seemingly caught wind of upon airing his intent to shift CNN's operations to being more digital-based last week.
This left one of his most successful anchors, Acosta, in limbo, with Darcy going on to reveal - via his Status newsletter - that he floated the anchor the idea of moving to a 12am timeslot. On CNN Newsroom Tuesday, Acosta made it clear what his answer had been.
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Jim Acosta is without a network after announcing his departure from CNN Tuesday - and he has already launched his own journalistic venture
He did so in In a reshared video posted to X Tuesday afternoon that originally streamed live on his brand new blog, the anchor advertised a Substack that's already up and running
'I just wanted to end today's show by thanking all of the wonderful people who work behind the scenes at this network,' he told viewers, after an hour that saw him slam Trump's recent deportations as - among other things - 'a dog and pony show.'
'You may have seen some reports about me and the show,' he continued, referring to accounts initially obtained by Darcy.
'And after giving all of this some careful consideration and weighing an alternative time slot, CNN offered me, I've decided to move on.
'I just wanted to end today's show by thanking all of the wonderful people who work behind the scenes at this network,' he continued, not detailing what hour he was offered.
He did add how he came to the decision after 'some careful consideration and weighing an alternative time slot CNN offered,' before concluding with, 'I've decided to move on.'
Hours later, at 4pm, a more dressed-down Acosta emerged in a self-filmed video posted to X, where he confirmed accounts obtained by The Times indicating he was ready to take a stab at journalism on his own.
'Hey guys, it's Jim - and let me just say this, I've had quite the day,' he began, with a portrait of George Washington visible in the background - as well as a Substack watermark and handle indicating the video was originally posted, live, to the new page.
'But as you can see, earlier today - this was my last day at CNN. And I did want to jump on Substack live here for a moment and say, welcome to my new venture. I'm going independent - at least for now.
'Hey guys, it's Jim - and let me just say this, I've had quite the day,' he began, with a portrait of George Washington visible in the background - as well as a Substack watermark and accompanying handle indicating the video was originally posted to the new page
The journalist who famously clashed with Trump during his first term went on to tease, 'This is just the beginning.'
'But I wanted to invite you to join me here on this platform where we talk about the days news, talk about politics, and so on - and just in case you missed my closing message earlier in the day, don't give into the lies. Don't give into the fear.
'Hold on to the truth,' he continued. 'And I hope we'll keep this conversation going.
'Great to see all of you here. We'll talk some more soon.'
On the new page, Acosta penned an additional 740 words recalling his experiences at CNN, from being named chief White House correspondent in 2018 to taking his first assignment as a correspondent in the Bronx in 2007.
This is a developing story; please check for updates.
