Acosta Laments Trump's 'War on the Press' as Media Landscape Shifts

FCC Chairman and CNN's Acosta agree Trump is 'winning' in reshaping the media, despite Acosta's claims of partisan coverage.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:00am

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A serene, cinematic painting of a lone microphone on a news desk, with warm lighting and deep shadows, conveying a sense of contemplation and uncertainty about the state of journalism.As the media landscape shifts, the future of press freedom remains uncertain.NYC Today

CNN's Jim Acosta recently appeared on a podcast with fellow leftists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino, where he lamented that President Donald Trump is 'winning' in his effort to 'reshape the media landscape' in his second term. Acosta accused Trump of committing 'an assault on our freedom of speech' and claimed the president is 'taking us down the road of Putin and China to state-controlled media.' However, Acosta's claims of partisan, pro-Trump coverage across major media outlets are not supported by the continued negative coverage of the former president.

Why it matters

This story highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the media, as well as the shifting dynamics within the media landscape itself. Acosta's comments reflect the concerns of some journalists about perceived threats to press freedom, while also raising questions about potential political biases within the media.

The details

Acosta recently testified before Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), warning about the Ellison brothers' acquisition of CBS and their plans to acquire CNN. He accused Trump of trying to create 'MAGA-coded' media and 'propaganda networks' like Fox News. However, Acosta's claims of pro-Trump coverage across major outlets are not supported, as the Big Three evening newscasts remain 'uber-negative' about the former president, especially on issues like the war in Iran.

  • Acosta recently testified before Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) about media acquisitions and Trump's influence.
  • Acosta made his comments on the 'Power Lines' podcast with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino.

The players

Jim Acosta

A CNN correspondent who has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump and his administration's treatment of the media.

Brendan Carr

The current chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Oliver Darcy

A fellow leftist who appeared on the 'Power Lines' podcast with Acosta.

Jon Passantino

A fellow leftist who appeared on the 'Power Lines' podcast with Acosta.

Adam Schiff

A Democratic senator from California who presided over a hearing where Acosta testified about media acquisitions and Trump's influence.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to figure out that Donald Trump is winning in his, you know, quest to reshape the media in this country that he's cracked the code on how to hurt the press in the U.S.”

— Jim Acosta, CNN Correspondent

“We don't need to have propaganda networks in the U.S. I mean, and by the way, there's already a propaganda network over at Fox. We don't, we don't need more of them.”

— Jim Acosta, CNN Correspondent

What’s next

The ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the media, as well as the shifting dynamics within the media landscape, are likely to continue to be a major story in the coming months and years.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over the role of the media and the perceived threats to press freedom, as well as the challenges of maintaining objective and balanced coverage in a highly polarized political environment.