Thursday night witnessed an awkward atmosphere at Polo Bar as major media executives converged to celebrate the birthday of UTA vice chairman Jay Sures. Former CNN president Jeff Zucker and anchor Don Lemon were among the attendees, but conspicuously absent from the festivities was recently dismissed CEO Chris Licht. The tension in the air was palpable as Licht dined across the room with an unnamed tech executive, while well-wishers flocked to Sures’ table to extend their birthday greetings.
Reports suggest that Licht could not resist stealing glances in the direction of Sures’ table, where Lemon (whom Licht had fired) and Zucker (whom Licht had replaced) were seated. However, despite the awkwardness, Licht refrained from approaching them. It soon became evident that the organizers had purposefully placed Licht at a far-off table, away from the others, to avoid uncomfortable encounters. The deliberate seclusion can be perceived as a clear indication of the lingering tensions and animosity within the CNN ranks.
Sures’ table for eight boasted an impressive lineup of guests, including Zucker’s controversial former lieutenant at the news network, Allison Gollust. Lemon’s fiancé, Tim Malone, was also in attendance, as well as Sures’ wife, Linda Nyvltova, NewsNation host Dan Abrams, and ABC News correspondent Rebecca Jarvis. The exclusive company at the table exemplified the close-knit nature of the media industry, where friendships and alliances often transcend professional boundaries.
The uncomfortable situation was further compounded when a source revealed that Licht was seated on the opposite side of the dining room, separated by the distance of one of the four “quarter tables.” Despite the source’s claim that Licht was not intentionally pushed to the side, it remains undeniable that he was excluded from the close proximity enjoyed by Lemon and Zucker. The symbolic positioning effectively underscored Licht’s removal from the inner circle of power within CNN.
In an unexpected twist, First Lady Jill Biden was also present at Polo Bar, dining with her granddaughter. Biden, who had acquaintances at Sures’ table, took a moment to extend her birthday wishes as well. Her presence added an element of intrigue to the already charged atmosphere, offering a glimpse into the intersection of politics and media in the upper echelons of society.
Amidst the uncomfortable dynamics of the evening, sources revealed that a significant topic of conversation at Sures’ table revolved around a fiery letter he had written as a member of the University of California system’s Board of Regents. The letter was a response to the UC Ethnic Studies Faculty Council and evidently sparked lively discourse among the influential attendees.
The Polo Bar gathering of media executives to celebrate Jay Sures’ birthday was marred by tension and uncomfortable encounters. From Chris Licht’s deliberate exclusion to the presence of formidable figures like Jeff Zucker and Don Lemon, the atmosphere was charged with unspoken animosities. The positioning of individuals and conversations surrounding Jay Sures’ letter added further intrigue to the evening. This gathering serves as a reminder that even within prestigious circles, professional relationships can be strained, leading to awkward and exclusive social dynamics.