This was so much fun.
Jim Acosta spent years at CNN, honing his craft as a reporter and rising to prominence as one of the most fearless and passionate political journalists in America.
But when Donald Trump was elected to a second term as president, CNN and Jim parted ways. And that was a loss for mainstream/corporate media, and a huge gain for independent media.
Jim’s arrival on Substack, and his work every day since, have demonstrated that the future of media is here—and it’s more authentic, more plain-spoken, more passionately engaged with the great struggle in our country today than anything you’ll see in old media.
So I was really happy when Jim and I decided we should have a conversation here on Substack. It feels like a moment to me; and it’s a great conversation.
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Coming just days after the extraordinary events at the White House Correspondents Association dinner—and the apparent assassination attempt on Trump that took place there—our talk digs in to what we think happened, and how Trump and his team are trying to use the incident to accomplish several goals. The ballroom, of course. Now they want YOU to pay for it! But the incident also allows this administration and its allies to demonize all who oppose them as supporters of political violence.
There will be more of that during this midterms campaign, and you can bet Trump is thinking about how to use it to justify some kind of interference in the elections.
Jim and I also talk about media. About our time in the corporate world, and what this new world is like for us. I consider him a pioneer in this next chapter of journalism. He gets it, and he understands that you all are not an “audience”—you’re a community. You are active participants in this revolution that is shaping the future of new media.
As I’ve written before—you’re all a bunch of “beautiful revolutionaries.” And I’m grateful for you.
There’s more, too. Jimmy Kimmel v. Trump, round two—or three, four, more? Good for Jimmy (though I didn’t like the joke!)
I so hope you enjoy this conversation with Jim Acosta. I sure did.
—Terry
