Grateful

A compilation of messages of support from you, all guiding me to what's next...

I struggled for a bit trying to decide what to write about in my next Substack. But as this - how should I put this - batsh*t crazy week came to a close, I came to the conclusion that this post needs to be about you.

Sure, I could have written about Trump’s shamefully dishonest attempt to blame the D.C. plane crash on D.E.I. or the bizarre sight on Capitol Hill of seeing multiple questionable cabinet nominees each evade the simplest questions about their past statements and actions. Did anybody ask RFK Jr. about the dead bear carcass? Perhaps I missed it. I suppose there’s time enough to chew on all of that later. Sorry, I couldn’t resist! Yes, reader, there will be dad jokes!

No, I wanted to write about you, just to send a note of thanks for lifting up a guy who, like a lot of us, is trying to figure out what’s next. First, I need to send a few shout-outs to some of the mentors who’ve reached out to me in recent days. The great Dan Rather, for whom I worked as a young, wet-behind-the-ears correspondent on the CBS Evening News during the early 2000’s, wrote me to “send along support, encouragement, admiration, and respect.” Had to put the phone down after I read that one. Simply put, Dan is one of my heroes. His no-holds-barred style of reporting has always set the standard in our industry, and for me personally. Just search for Rather’s pointed questions for President Nixon at the height of the Watergate scandal. Or better yet, watch Dan’s appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” after the 9/11 attacks. He is a newsman with soul. Rather on Letterman

Legendary ABC News White House correspondent Sam Donaldson wrote me to say “do not lose confidence” in my decision to go independent. Donaldson, of course, also flashed a take-no-prisoners style covering the Reagan administration, famously shouting questions that “the Gipper” often pretended he could not hear. Try to watch those without letting out a few chuckles. Sam and I forged a special bond during my days covering the Trump White House. Back in 2017, he attended a convening of some of my colleagues in Atlanta, where he encouraged us to continue our relentless coverage of the Trump presidency. The ABC newsman and I have stayed in touch ever since. I am grateful for his friendship.

Then, there are all of you, the viewer, reader and subscriber. I have received countless messages of support over the last several days. Needless to say, I am blown away by the kindness and thoughtfulness expressed by each and every one of you. Here are a few samples of the hundreds of messages I’ve seen flooding my inbox.

Juliette wrote: "I supported your work because I believe that transparent, responsible media will be the backbone of how the United States successfully navigates the challenges of the next decade.”

Dianne wrote: "Thank you, Jim for your courage to stand tall and not buckle to tyranny. The free press has to hold or America is finished. God bless you."

Toni wrote: "As cliche as it sounds, we need more voices that speak truth to power."

Ivan said simply: "We need honest reporting now more than ever."

I agree. And this is just the beginning. I am humbled by your responses to my plea that we “don’t give in to the lies.” We can’t. A relative pointed out one clip on TikTok of that message generated some 15 million views. Glad, you got the message. Over the last week, I’ve received hundreds of emails from viewers as far away as New Zealand imploring all of us in the free press to stay in the fight for the truth. We will!

For me, that means delivering the news to you, here on this platform, without fear or favor. Just as I found covering the first Trump administration during the late 2010’s, when the president of the United States referred to the press as the “enemy of the people,” there is a hunger for tough, no-nonsense, straightforward reporting on the day’s news, including what’s happening at the White House. That is what I will strive to offer here. So hold on to the truth, and to hope. And let’s get started.

Still reporting from Washington, I’m Jim Acosta.