Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta likens the removal at the Kennedy Center to the Berlin Wall.

Jim Acosta’s Long YouTube Livestream Ends with Controversial Remarks

Jim Acosta, the former CNN anchor, livestreamed for almost 11 hours on YouTube, starting Friday afternoon and stretching into early Saturday morning. He was anxiously waiting for President Donald Trump’s name to be removed from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. However, he made a rather absurd comparison that led to significant mockery.

Acosta, who served as CNN’s chief domestic correspondent and hosted “CNN Newsroom” until early 2025, had worked with the network for 18 years before he was abruptly let go after the network offered to shift his morning slot to a late-night time.

During his marathon broadcast dubbed the Live Watch Party on “The Jim Acosta Show,” he showcased live footage of workers attempting to dismantle Trump’s name, often obscured by tarpaulins and scaffolding.

At one point, around 3:30 a.m., Acosta likened the scene to the fall of the Berlin Wall, which many found perplexing.

Acosta remarked, “This is a sign that humanity can stand up against tyranny,” expressing the importance of this moment to many people. He insisted they would keep covering it for as long as necessary.

In December 2025, the Kennedy Center’s board decided to change its name to the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Performing Arts Center, a move that sparked outrage from many, particularly on the political left. Democratic lawmakers even filed a lawsuit to revert to the original name, which resulted in a federal ruling last week restoring it to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Before the climax of the livestream, Acosta, feeling fatigued, took a break and went to bed. While he rested, he missed the moment the letter was taken down, but his producers filled him in later.

As the stream went on, a producer commented on the scene, “They seem to be touching the text subliminally … I can’t say if they’re removing them, but there may be progress.” Later, he noted, “Yeah, it looks like they’re moving the letters around.” There seemed to be some activity with the signage, and the producer warned that Acosta might not be happy to be woken up.

When Acosta returned to the site, he expressed his frustration, stating, “I thought this would be done in the morning, but they did this at 3 a.m.” He further lamented how the giant tarp had been put up to protect Trump from the humiliation of the event unfolding live.

Upon his arrival, Acosta criticized the president for his actions surrounding the situation, describing Trump’s attachment to his name as childish. He lamented, “He doesn’t want to give up his toys,” insinuating a refusal to acknowledge the inevitable.

The livestream, with Acosta’s unorthodox comparisons and dramatic delivery, attracted a lot of attention online, leading to pointed commentary and ridicule from various users. Comments ranged from sarcasm about needing a Pulitzer Prize for his performance to critiques of the absurdity of waiting hours at a building for a name change.

In a digital space filled with commentary, some applauded Acosta’s engagement, while others found humor in the lengths he went to for coverage. All the while, Acosta continued to solidify his presence as a social media influencer, despite facing mockery.