Former Republican Rep. Joe Walsh (Ill.) criticized CNN over a decision to do away with a morning newscast anchored by Jim Acosta as part of a major overhaul of the network’s programming announced this week.
“I appear on CNN quite often. And if saying what I’m about to say means my days at CNN are over, well then f— it. CNN, what you just did – removing Acosta from his morning show – is cowardly b——-,” Walsh wrote Thursday evening on the social platform X. “Acosta is one of your most independent, unafraid hosts. To demote him to f—- appease the crybaby in the White House is pathetic.”
CNN on Thursday announced a sweeping overhaul of its dayside and early evening programming lineup, a move that saw Acosta’s morning newscast replaced by a program anchored by longtime network host Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown.
The move came amid reports the network had offered Acosta a late-night hosting spot, a move that would be widely seen as a demotion in the cable news business.
“We are in active discussions with Jim about a new time slot and will have more information to share soon,” a CNN spokesperson told The Hill on Friday.
Acosta made a name for himself during President Trump’s first term as CNN’s top White House correspondent, often sparing with the president and his aides during press conferences, including one incident that resulted in the revoking of his press pass.
The changes at CNN come as the network looks to cut costs and retool its business around digital and streaming in the face of sluggish ratings on linear cable.
Walsh, a vocal Trump critic, called CNN’s move on Acosta “an abdication of your duty to hold ALL public officials to account.”
“Shame on you CNN,” he said. “Correct this mistake now.”
