CNN’s chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta is becoming an anchor, the network announced in a press release Monday.
Acosta has become well-known throughout President Donald Trump’s time in office, in part for his consistent swipes at the president and administration. He briefly had his press credentials revoked by the White House in 2018, prompting a lawsuit from CNN.
As President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office, the network announced a slew of changes in both reporting positions and anchor jobs. Acosta “has been named anchor and chief domestic correspondent for CNN,” the network wrote.
“His anchoring duties will be on the weekends with more details coming soon,” according to CNN.
>@cnn moves. pic.twitter.com/K1Jhlvp1kB
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 11, 2021
In addition to Acosta’s new role, anchor Jake Tapper will have his show extended and his weekend show will be co-hosted with Dana Bash. CNN’s Abby Phillip, currently a political correspondent for the network, will anchor her own show on Sunday, according to CNN.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins will take over for Acosta as the new chief White House correspondent and Phil Mattingly, currently a congressional correspondent, will be the senior White House correspondent, effective January 20.
Prior to CNN’s changes, Acosta noted that there will likely be changes in how Biden is covered by the press compared to Trump.
“I don’t think the press should be trying to whip up the Biden presidency and turn it into must-see TV in a contrived way,” Acosta said according to The Atlantic.
Acosta said this was not a double standard because Trump and his campaign consistently vilified the press. As a result, a strong response was needed, he argued.
“If being at the White House is not an experience that might merit hazard pay, then perhaps it is going to be approached differently,” Acosta added.
Story cited here.
