Longtime CNN anchor Jim Acosta signed off from the network on Tuesday, delivering a powerful message urging viewers to fight against oppressive forces and reject falsehoods, a remark seemingly aimed at former President Donald Trump. Acosta expressed gratitude for his nearly two decades at CNN, reflecting on his career highlights, which he noted included covering President Obama's historic trip to Cuba and confronting Raul Castro. This experience, as the son of a Cuban refugee, reinforced his belief in the importance of standing up to authoritarianism.

Acosta's departure follows recent speculation about his future at CNN after he was absent from the network's revised programming schedule. His 10 a.m. ET slot has been replaced by "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown." Acosta emphasized his commitment to holding power accountable through journalism, both at CNN and in his future endeavors. He urged viewers to resist misinformation and fear, encouraging them to share their own messages of truth and hope on social media.

CNN confirmed Acosta's departure, praising his long career and dedication to journalistic principles. While reports indicate he was offered a midnight time slot, a move many considered a demotion, Acosta ultimately chose to leave the network. He stated he would share more about his future plans in the coming days. Acosta's time at CNN was marked by his frequent clashes with the Trump administration. He became a prominent figure in the anti-Trump resistance, often challenging the former president and his spokespeople directly. His confrontational reporting style, including a well-known incident where he refused to yield a microphone during a press conference, led to the White House briefly attempting to revoke his press credentials.

Acosta's adversarial approach continued beyond the Trump presidency. He was later reassigned from the White House beat to a domestic correspondent role. In recent weeks, he delivered a monologue emphasizing the critical role of a free press in a democracy, echoing President Biden's concerns about the state of journalism. Former President Trump commented on Acosta's departure on Truth Social, criticizing the journalist and celebrating his exit from CNN.