History of Jim Acosta in Timeline

Jim Acosta is an American broadcast journalist notable for his tenure at CNN from 2007 to 2025. He rose to prominence as CNN's chief White House correspondent during the Obama and first Trump administrations. Acosta is most recognized for his confrontational exchanges with President Donald Trump during press briefings. In 2021, he became an anchor and chief domestic correspondent at CNN. Acosta left CNN on January 28, 2025, after declining an alternative time slot for his CNN Newsroom program.

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Full Timeline

April 17, 1971: Jim Acosta's Birth

On April 17, 1971, Abilio James Acosta was born. He is an American broadcast journalist.

1989: Graduation from Annandale High School

In 1989, Jim Acosta graduated from Annandale High School in Virginia.

1993: Graduation from James Madison University

In 1993, Jim Acosta earned a bachelor's degree in mass communication with a minor in political science from James Madison University.

1994: Joins WTTG-TV

In 1994, Jim Acosta left WMAL and entered television, working for Fox affiliate WTTG-TV as a desk assistant.

1995: Reporter and Substitute Anchor at WBIR-TV

In 1995, Jim Acosta became a reporter and substitute anchor at NBC affiliate WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee.

1998: Reporter for KTVT-TV

From 1998 until 2000, Jim Acosta worked as a reporter for CBS affiliate KTVT-TV in Fort Worth.

1998: Leaves WBIR-TV

In 1998, Jim Acosta left his position as a reporter and substitute anchor at WBIR-TV.

1999: Marriage to Sharon Mobley Stow

In 1999, Jim Acosta married Sharon Mobley Stow, a registered nurse.

2000: Reporter for WBBM-TV

From 2000 until 2001, Jim Acosta was a reporter for WBBM-TV in Chicago.

2001: Correspondent for CBS News Newspath

From 2001 until 2003, Jim Acosta worked as a correspondent for CBS News' Newspath service, based in Dallas and Chicago.

February 2003: Correspondent for CBS News

In February 2003, Jim Acosta became a correspondent for CBS News, based in New York City.

2004: Covering John Kerry's Campaign

In 2004, Jim Acosta, working for CBS news, covered the 2004 campaign of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, the Iraq War from Baghdad, and Hurricane Katrina.

March 2007: Leaves CBS News

In March 2007, Jim Acosta left his position as a correspondent for CBS News.

April 2007: Joins CNN

In April 2007, Jim Acosta joined CNN as a correspondent.

2007: Joins CNN

In 2007, Jim Acosta began working for CNN and would work for the network until 2025.

2008: Covering 2008 Presidential Campaigns

In 2008, Jim Acosta covered the 2008 presidential campaigns of Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, frequently appearing as an anchor of CNN's weekend political program, Ballot Bowl.

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2010: Coverage of Midterm Elections

In 2010, Jim Acosta contributed to CNN's coverage of the 2010 midterm elections while a correspondent for CNN's American Morning program.

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February 2012: Promotion to National Political Correspondent

In February 2012, Jim Acosta was promoted to the position of national political correspondent at CNN.

November 2015: Challenges President Obama on ISIS Strategy

In November 2015, Jim Acosta challenged President Obama on his administration's strategy for destroying the terrorist organization known as ISIS, during a nationally televised news conference.

March 2016: Covers Obama's Trip to Cuba

In March 2016, Jim Acosta traveled to Cuba to cover President Obama's historic trip to the island and pressed Cuban president Raúl Castro on his country's human-rights record at a rare news conference in Havana.

May 2016: Trump calls Acosta "a real beauty"

In May 2016, at a nationally televised news conference, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump called Jim Acosta "a real beauty" for his reporting, interrupting a question about dealing with scrutiny.

January 11, 2017: Trump labels Acosta and CNN as "fake news"

During President-elect Trump's first press conference on January 11, 2017, Jim Acosta attempted to ask a question regarding Russia, but Trump called on others, describing Acosta and CNN as "fake news".

August 2, 2017: Heated debate with Stephen Miller

On August 2, 2017, Jim Acosta engaged in a heated debate with White House senior policy advisor Stephen Miller over the Trump administration's support for the RAISE Act at a White House press conference. The exchange was said to have "cemented Acosta's undisputed role as the chief antagonist" for CNN against the Trump administration.

2017: Divorce from Sharon Mobley Stow

In 2017, Jim Acosta and Sharon Mobley Stow divorced.

January 9, 2018: Promotion to Chief White House Correspondent

On January 9, 2018, Jim Acosta was promoted to chief White House correspondent for CNN.

August 2, 2018: Asks Sanders to disavow Trump's description of journalists

On August 2, 2018, Jim Acosta asked White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders if she agreed to disavow President Trump’s description of journalists as “the enemy of the people”, but she did not directly answer the question.

November 7, 2018: Verbal Sparring with President Trump

On November 7, 2018, Jim Acosta verbally sparred with President Trump during a White House press conference following the 2018 midterm elections regarding immigration rhetoric and campaign ads. Trump told Acosta, "that's enough," and to "put down the mic," later describing him as "a rude, terrible person."

November 13, 2018: CNN Files Civil Suit Against Trump Administration

On November 13, 2018, CNN and Jim Acosta filed a civil suit against President Trump, White House officials, the U.S. Secret Service, and its director, seeking an order to temporarily restrain the White House from denying Acosta access for journalistic purposes.

2019: Publishes "The Enemy of the People"

In 2019, Jim Acosta wrote about the incident in his book The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America.

The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America

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January 2021: Chief Domestic Correspondent and Weekend Anchor

In January 2021, CNN announced that Jim Acosta would be the network's chief domestic correspondent and weekend anchor.

January 2021: Appointment as Anchor and Chief Domestic Correspondent

In January 2021, Jim Acosta was appointed CNN's anchor and chief domestic correspondent.

January 23, 2025: CNN Announces Lineup Changes

On January 23, 2025, CNN announced upcoming changes to its weekday lineup, including the replacement of Jim Acosta and Pamela Brown's hours of CNN Newsroom with a rescheduling of The Situation Room into its morning timeslots. The fate of Acosta's role at CNN was left unclear by the new schedule.

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