Jim Acosta

Not to be confused with Jim Costa.

Jim Acosta
Jim Acosta in February 2016
Born	Abilio James Acosta April 1971 (age 53)
Nationality	Cuban-American
Alma mater	James Madison University
Occupation(s)	Correspondent Journalist
Employer	CNN
Known for	Senior White House Correspondent for CNN
Spouse	Sharon Mobley Stow
Website	CNN.com biography

Abilio James "Jim" Acosta (born April 1971) is the Senior White House Correspondent for CNN. Previously, Acosta served as the National Political Correspondent for CNN. Jim Acosta is a Cuban-American.

Early life and education

Acosta graduated from Annandale High School, a public high school in Annandale, Virginia, in 1989. In 1993, he earned a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication, with a minor in Political Science, from James Madison University. While in school, Acosta volunteered for WXJM, the student-run radio station, and also worked as a reporter at WSVA, a local radio station.

Professional career

Acosta began his professional career in radio, and his first job was with WMAL in Washington, D.C.. In 1994, Acosta left WMAL and entered television, working for WTTG-TV as a desk assistant. In 1995, Acosta moved in front of the camera, becoming a reporter and substitute anchor at WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee, and remained in that job until 1998.

From 1998 until 2000, Acosta worked as a reporter for KTVT-TV in Dallas. From 2000 until 2001, Acosta was a reporter for WBBM-TV in Chicago. From 2001 until 2003, Acosta worked as a correspondent for CBS News' Newspath service, based both in Dallas and Chicago. From February 2003 until March 2007, Acosta was a correspondent for CBS News and was based first in New York and then in Atlanta.

At CBS News, Acosta covered the 2004 campaign of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, the Iraq War from Baghdad, and Hurricane Katrina. In April 2007, Acosta joined CNN. During the following year, 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." Acosta later joined CNN's "American Morning" program as a correspondent and contributed to the network's coverage of the 2010 mid-term congressional election.

In February 2012, CNN promoted Acosta to the position of National Political Correspondent. In his role as National Political Correspondent, Acosta was the network's lead correspondent in covering the 2012 presidential campaign of Republican nominee Mitt Romney. Acosta is now the Senior White House Correspondent for CNN.

At a nationally televised news conference in November 2015, Acosta challenged President Obama on his administration's strategy for destroying the terrorist organization known as ISIS. "Why can't we take out these bastards," Acosta asked. http://www.mediaite.com/tv/cnns-jim-acosta-grills-obama-on-isis-why-cant-we-take-out-these-bastards/

In March 2016, Acosta traveled to Cuba to cover President Obama's historic trip to the island. At a rare news conference in Havana featuring both Obama and Cuban president Raul Castro, Acosta pressed the Cuban leader on his country's human rights record. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/on-first-full-day-in-cuba-obama-to-meet-with-castro-and-address-the-public/2016/03/20/931e4ff6-eef5-11e5-89c3-a647fcce95e0_story.html

At a nationally televised news conference in May 2016, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump derisively called Acosta "a real beauty" for his reporting. Interrupting Acosta, who was asking Trump about his ability to deal with scrutiny, Trump said sarcastically, "Excuse me, excuse me, I've watched you on TV. You're a real beauty."

Personal

Acosta and his wife, Sharon Mobley Stow, live in the Washington, D.C. area.

External links

• CNN Profile
• Jim Acosta’s Cuba Blog at CNN