| Real Name: | Abilio James Acosta |
| Birthday: | April 17, 1971 |
| Net Worth | $5 million |
| Height: | 175 cm |
| Occupation: | Journalist |
Abilio James Acosta is an American journalist. He is the chief White House correspondent for CNN. Before that, he served as the national political correspondent for CNN.
Content Compass
Jim Acosta Career
Acosta is now a veteran reporter. He is just 48 years old, but he has an impressive resume. He started his career in radio, with his first job with WMAL in Washington DC. He left the radio in 1994 to join television and worked for WTTG-TV as a desk assistant.
In 1995 he moved in front of the camera as a reporter and substitute anchor at WBIR-TV. From 1998 to 2000, he worked for KTVT-TV in Dallas. He got his first major job in 2001 when he worked as a correspondent for CBS News Newspatch service in Dallas and Chicago.
At CBS, he covered the 2004 campaign of John Kerry, Iraq War directly from Baghdad, and the Hurricane Katrina. In 2007, he joined CNN, a network for which he still works. In 2008, he covered the presidential campaign of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, appearing as an anchor of Ballot Bowl. He then joined the CNN American Morning program.
In 2012, CNN promoted him to become the National Political Correspondent for CNN. He was the network’s lead correspondent in covering the 2012 presidential campaign of Republican nominee Mitt Romney. In 2015, he challenged Obama at a nationally televised news conference on his strategy on destroying ISIS.
Acosta traveled with President Obama to Cuba during the historic trip. He was at the rare news conference in Havana featuring Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro.
He covered Obama’s historic trip to Cuba. On January 9, 2018, CNN promoted Acosta to chief White House correspondent.
Problems with Trump
You can say Trump helped Acosta raise his profile in the news world. During a nationally televised news conference in May 2016, Trump called Acosta “a real beauty” for his reporting. During another press conference in January 2017, Trump denounced him and CNN as fake news.
The two got into a heated debate during a White House press conference on August 2, 2017. Acosta argued with Stephen Miller over the administration’s support for the RAISE Act. This labeled Acosta as “the chief antagonist for CNN against the Trump administration”. Liberals praised Jim, while conservatives panned him.
During a press conference on November 7, 2018, Acosta verbally sparred with Trump following the 2018 midterm elections. President Trump said Acosta was a rude and terrible person. Jim only asked about the rhetoric regarding immigration. Following a controversial altercation between Acosta and White House Intern, he got suspended until further notice.
CNN made efforts to restore his access to the White House and prepared for a civil lawsuit. They quoted the opinions of media law. CNN argued Trump and the White House suspended him unlawfully. According to the first amendment, “a journalist has right of access to places closed to the public but open generally to the press which cannot be denied arbitrarily or absent compelling reasons”.
On November 13, CNN and Acosta filed a civil suit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia against Trump and White House Chief of Staff. They asked for relief and restoration of access. Following a couple of hearings, CNN dropped the lawsuit on November 19. The White House restored Acosta’s press credentials, but with a few conditions.
Net Worth and Sources of Income
According to estimates, Jim Acosta net worth increased by 25% over the past few years. Now, he has a small fortune and is one of the several millionaire journalists. He is still far away from Anderson Cooper, the richest news anchor. Cooper is a major correspondent for 60 Minutes, but also the anchor of CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360. He has a net worth of $100 million.
But Acosta is not a slouch. His wealth allows him to buy a home worth $1 million. His luxury car collection totals $420,000.
Personal Life
Jim got married to his long-time girlfriend Sharon Mobley Stow in 1993. The couple got divorced in 2017. Together, they have three children, two daughters, and a son.
Following the divorce, there is no information on any other relationships.