In the world of CNN, it seems that the news has become less like a serious broadcast and more like a late-night comedy sketch. The latest star of this surreal sitcom is none other than Jim Acosta, who is officially out. This was music to the ears of many, including former President Donald Trump, who took to Truth Social to celebrate this momentous occasion in what he must have felt was a public service announcement to the nation.
Acosta’s departure from CNN could be likened to the final scene of a bad sitcom where the audience cheers for the character who finally leaves town. Let’s face it: he was a prime time player who somehow got relegated to the Midnight Hour of the cable news dumpster fire. With ratings that could only be described as “epic fail,” Acosta’s presence at CNN felt more like a long-running joke that just overstayed its welcome. So why is this a big deal? Because it feels like justice served to many who have been following Acosta’s antics over the years.
Remember that heart-wrenching moment when Acosta held up a sign and cried on air during a Trump rally? It felt as though he was less a journalist and more a protagonist in a melodrama. You’d think he was rescuing a kitten from a tree or something. Instead, he was drowning in a choir of “CNN sucks” chants. News flash: if you’re at a Trump rally and people are yelling that your network is bad, it’s probably time to hang up your “reporter” hat and consider a different line of work. Perhaps an audition for the role of the “unpopular kid” in a high school play?
As Acosta staged his dramatic exit, talking about being the “defender of the people,” viewers couldn’t help but stifle laughter. With lines that rivaled some of the best lines in soap operas, he proclaimed that he would stand firm against lies and oppression. But this was a man whose life seemed to revolve around a constant need for validation. Holding up notes from his mom showed more about his mental state than his journalistic integrity. A little tip, Jim: while it’s great to get a ‘You’re special!’ note from your mom, it might not carry you through a career in hard-hitting news.
If Acosta’s career had a final episode, it would undoubtedly have had him reminiscing about all his past glories—including that glorious moment of questioning the Castro family while teetering on the edge of a humanitarian crisis. Sure, questioning a dictator is a big deal, but it’s hard to take you seriously when the next clip shows you tripping over your own words while standing in front of a border wall. You get the feeling that when the chips were down, Acosta’s toughest reporting was far more about him than the stories he was supposed to cover.
As Jim Acosta exits the stage, you can almost hear the collective sigh of relief from conservatives everywhere. It’s not that anyone wishes ill on him; it’s just that his brand of journalism felt more like an extended dramatic monologue than genuine reporting. Perhaps it’s time for CNN to turn the page and seek someone who can meet both the standards of actual news and the needs of its, shall we say, unique global audience. Until then, they can at least indulge in the spectacular joyride that is Acosta’s past—memes and all. So, hats off and good riddance to Jim Acosta; may he find new heights for his talents that don’t include crying on live TV.
