CNN banishes Jim Acosta to the “Siberia of TV news” to “throw Trump a bone”

CNN is apparently planning to banish star anchor Jim Acosta – a longtime opponent of President-elect Donald Trump – to the “Siberia of TV news” to “throw a bone” to the new commander-in-chief, according to a former colleague.

The network’s boss, Mark Thompson, called Acosta this week and suggested moving his show “CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta” from 10 a.m. to the midnight graveyard, former CNN senior media reporter Oliver Darcy reported in his status news newsletter.

“The move would effectively relegate Acosta to the Siberia of television news,” Darcy wrote.

Acosta was “caught off guard,” Darcy said – the host later used his airtime for self-promotion to send a message to Trump so he could treat journalists more gently.

“He had no reason to believe that his current show would be on the rocks. In fact, its ratings have historically been among the highest on the channel,” Darcy pointed out.

Acosta was told his potential move was to facilitate veteran host Wolf Blitzer’s move from prime time to a morning show – and had nothing to do with his ratings or editorial style, Darcy said.

However, sources justified the move as preparations for Trump’s return to office amid Acosta’s extremely strained relationship with the president-elect – who famously branded the host “a rude, terrible person.”

“They want to get rid of Acosta to thwart Trump,” an unnamed media executive told the newsletter.

“Midnight is not a serious proposition when its ratings are among the best on the network.”

Acosta was a CNN White House correspondent during the first Trump administration and had numerous confrontations that led to him losing his press pass after a petty exchange with the then-president at a news conference in 2018.

“CNN should be ashamed of letting you work for them,” Trump told Acosta at the time.

It was not immediately clear whether Acosta was considering the offer of a midnight show.

A CNN spokesman declined to comment on the reports.

However, the news came to light as Acosta used his show on Thursday to slag Trump and tout the importance of the media – just days before the inauguration.

“I want to take a moment to talk about something President Biden said during his farewell address,” Acosta ranted at the start of a nearly minute-long speech.

“He warned that the free press in this country was collapsing. I would add, this only happens if we, the people, allow it,” he continued. “Journalists exist to seek the truth, to tell people’s stories, to elevate voices that might not otherwise be heard, to expose injustice, and to hold the powerful accountable.”

“We are not the enemy of the people. We are the defenders of the people. Walter Cronkite once said, “Freedom of the press is not just important for democracy.” “It is democracy,” Acosta added.