A few days ago, Stelter told CNN’s John Berman that the situation was “complicated,” and that he might be back on the air in January.

Today, the situation is apparently less complicated, with Stelter telling Acosta that the decision to terminate was based on a clear series of breaches by Cuomo.

“Yes, Chris Cuomo, one of the most popular anchors at CNN, one of the best-known names in television news, violated journalistic ethics and norms. Not once or twice but many times. And that’s ultimately what is the result of today’s news, Jim,” he said…

“I didn’t expect to be on with you this evening talking about this breaking news, but we did know that Cuomo had been suspended not just, you know, not just for a week, not the kind of way that’s a fake suspension to take pressure off CNN. This was a real suspension. He was put on the bench indefinitely while management conducted a review,” Stelter continued, pointing out that it was not well-known that CNN had brought in an outside firm to investigate.