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By James Bickerton
News Reporter
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CNN CEO Mark Thompson has phoned leading presenter Jim Acosta suggesting his show should be moved to the "graveyard shift" of midnight to 2 a.m. ET, according to a report by Status News.
The publication, run by former CNN journalist Oliver Darcy, reported Thursday that Acosta, who has clashed with Donald Trump, had been told out of the blue that he would be moving from his regular 10 a.m. slot. Commentators have said the change was currying favor with the President-elect.
A CNN spokesperson told Newsweek the network wouldn't comment on speculation.
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Why It Matters
Acosta has clashed repeatedly with Trump, who has branded the CNN presenter a "rude, terrible person" and "fake news." In November 2018, Acosta's White House access was revoked during Trump's first term in office following a fiery exchange with the president, before later being reinstated.
Since Trump's election a string of major companies have introduced policies likely to win favor with Trump, such as cutting back DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, has announced it is replacing fact-checkers with a community-driven system.
Ahead of the 2024 presidential election The Washington Post, which is owned by billionaire business tycoon Jeff Bezos, angered a section of its readership by declining to endorse Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
What to Know
According to Status News, Acosta was caught "off guard" by a recent call from Thompson suggesting his show should be moved to midnight-2 a.m. ET, or 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. PT. Currently CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta airs on weekdays at 10 a.m. ET.
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The publication described the new time slot as "the Siberia of television news" and said the move would amount to an "exile," hard to justify based on performance alone as Acosta's ratings "have historically been some of the network's strongest."
Status News noted moving Acosta's show would provide more prime time CNN slots as part of a broader reorganization Thompson is reportedly planning, adding: "Sidelining Acosta would also work to curry favor with Donald Trump, who very much despises the CNN anchor."
What People Are Saying
Speaking to Status News, one media executive said: "They want to get rid of Acosta to throw a bone to Trump. Midnight is not a serious offer when his ratings are among the best on the network."
During his show on Thursday, Acosta said: "I want to take a moment to talk about something President Biden said during his farewell address. He warned the free press is crumbling in this country. I would add that's only if we, the people, let that happen. Journalists exist to seek the truth, to tell people's stories, to lift up voices that may not be heard otherwise. To shine a light on injustice and hold the powerful accountable. We are not the enemy of the people, we are the defenders of the people."
What Happens Next
It is currently unclear whether the report that Thompson wants to move the time of Acosta's show to the middle of the night is correct, and if so whether this is his firm plan or the CEO simply sounding out his options.
If Acosta is moved, critics will doubtless claim the change took place in a bid to placate Trump, who has been fiercely critical of CNN in the past.
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