The Real Reason Brooke Baldwin Quit Her CNN Anchor Job

Journalist Brooke Baldwin shocked the masses when she announced on Feb. 16, 2021 that she is leaving her longtime position at CNN in April. 

As reported by Deadline, Baldwin has worked at CNN since 2008 as a freelance reporter. In her resignation statement, she acknowledged that though she initially only scored a temporary position with the news channel, she had greater hopes of eventually transitioning into a full-time correspondent position. And that she did! "I wanted to be part of the best of the best in cable news and journalism, and, as a native Atlantan, this would be my hometown dream. Little did I know, I would not only go on to fulfill that dream, I would flourish in this environment and land my own two-hour show in the afternoon at the age of 31," she recalled.

During her time with CNN, Baldwin won a prestigious Peabody award and went on to create and host her very own digital series, aptly titled American Woman, a series that is "devoted to stories of women who are breaking conventions" including the likes of singer and songwriter Sheryl Crow and actress and comedian Betty White, per Variety.

But why would Baldwin voluntarily choose to leave what she referred to her as "dream" job? Keep reading to find out!

Award winning anchor Brooke Baldwin confessed during her on-air resignation statement that she is choosing to leave her tenured position with CNN simply because "there is just more I need to do — more I need to do outside of this place, outside the walls of this place, a place I've been privileged to call home now for 13 years." 

Per Deadline, Baldwin explained that although she currently has no new job waiting in the wings for her, she does have plans to publish her very own book, Huddle: How Women Unlock Their Collective Power in April 2021. But even with a book on the horizon, Baldwin admitted that she is experiencing feelings of vulnerability. "And, yep, we are still in a pandemic, and nope, I don't have a job I'm jumping right into, and yes — yes, I'm feeling very vulnerable. But what is it Brene Brown says? 'Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change,' and I am so excited about what is to come," she declared.

During her 13-year run at CNN, Brooke Baldwin became a familiar face as she covered everything from terrorism and environmental disasters to politics and royal weddings. When the host of American Woman expressed gratitude for the show team, CNN family and fans who have been with her "every step of the way" in a farewell post, people were quick to return the favor. "Devastated to hear that #BrookeBaldwin is leaving CNN in April. I've watched & loved her for years," one user wrote, while another fan with a passion for cable TV noted that "working from home won't be the same [without Baldwin]."

Likewise, Baldwin's colleagues didn't waste any time hopping on social media to share their respective well-wishes. Inside Politics Sunday with Abby Phillip anchor Abby Phillip reacted to the news by praising her "friend" as "the heart of CNN – an amazing colleague and an even better journalist." "Brooke is one of the nicest colleagues I've gotten to work with at CNN. We'll miss you," added CNN White House correspondent Jeremy Diamond. Sounds like Baldwin is leaving behind some pretty big shoes to fill!

Brooke Baldwin announced her surprise resignation with a nod to her future plans. "The next chapter of my life will be focused on what I love the most about my work – amplifying the lives of extraordinary Americans and putting my passion for storytelling to good use," the CNN anchor wrote on Instagram, adding that she will be taking the time to publish her first book, HUDDLE: How Women Unlock Their Collective Power. Promoting a book is undoubtedly a full-time job, and "storytelling" seems like a natural next step for someone who has created and hosted a digital series highlighting stories of trailblazing women, but is this the real reason behind Baldwin's decision to step down from CNN?

In October 2020, Baldwin marked her 10-year anniversary as anchor with an Instagram post that revealed "political maestro" Jake Tapper would be taking over her hour in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election. According to The Wrap, Baldwin told one user who asked why she would take time off at such a critical moment that the decision to do so "was not her choice." Hmmm, perhaps there is more to her CNN exit than we realize? No doubt fans and longtime viewers are wishing Baldwin well either way.

Congratulations and good luck to Brooke Baldwin!