Jim Acosta is reportedly threatening to quit CNN rather than accept a reassignment of his time slot from midnight to graveyard duty.
Acosta's position on CNN comes as the former White House correspondent known for his combative coverage of President Trump may be headed for an exit rather than embrace a move to air a midnight-to-night show. There may be only a few days left in the job. According to the Los Angeles Times.
Another CNN staffer told Fox News Digital Acosta says he's “being cornered.”
“Acosta is a talented broadcaster who can fill any slot on the network,” an anonymous staffer told Fox News Digital.
“What happened in the middle of the night is shocking.” [but] that's reality. “
CNN chief Mark Thompson announced a lineup shakeup that will move Wolf Blitzer's “Situation Room” show from the evening to the morning.
Blitzer will anchor the show alongside Pamela Brown, the network confirmed Thursday. CNN also announced it would lay off about 200 staffers as it shifts its focus from its linear television business to a more digital-focused news organization.
The change means Acosta's daily show, “CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta,” which airs weekdays at 10 a.m. ET, will be eliminated.
“We are in active discussions with Jim about a new time slot and will share further information soon,” a CNN spokesperson told the Post.
The proposed lineup changes were first reported last week. By Oliver Darcy for Status Newsletter.
Acosta's move is widely seen as a demotion, given the fact that fewer people are watching late-night TV, but one network official said that the 12 a.m. Eastern time show would be replaced by the afternoon show on the West Coast. He pointed out that it airs at 9:00 p.m., which constitutes prime-time programming in the United States. Pacific time zone.
If Acosta accepts the reassignment, he could be broadcasting the show from Los Angeles, network officials said, which would require Acosta and his family to relocate from their current home in Washington, D.C. That's what it means.
The official added that the East Coast is “just part of CNN's global audience” and that the outlet is “not part of the Acela Corridor network.”
“CNN is a global news organization that broadcasts all over the world, so we need to keep that in mind,” the official added.
The person told the Post that the move to Los Angeles is not necessary and that Mr. Acosta could continue broadcasting from Washington, D.C., if he so chooses.
The Post has reached out to Acosta for comment.
The department's decision to remove Acosta from daytime duties is seen by some as a way to appease the Trump administration.
Status reported earlier this week. Mr Thompson told the Journalist Directory: Over the weekend, he urged people to refrain from “expressing anger” when covering President Trump's inauguration.
Thompson also reportedly told his staff that they needed to be “fair-minded” when covering Trump.
