It’s been a rough couple of months for CBS News, but CBS News chief White House correspondent Major Garrett gave the news division a good reason to celebrate last night.
He’s got a new book out, Mr. Trump’s Wild Ride, and CBS News president David Rhodes hosted a soiree last night at Michael’s Restaurant in midtown Manhattan to celebrate Garrett and his new book.
The turnout was quite impressive. In addition to Rhodes, the CBS This Morning on-air quartet of Gayle King, Norah O’Donnell, John Dickerson, Bianna Golodryga were all in attendance. Other CBS Newsers who stopped by included Anthony Mason, Elaine Quijano, Jericka Duncan, Reena Ninan, Washington DC bureau chief Chris Isham, CBS News political director Caitlin Conant, CBS Evening News ep Mosheh Oinounou and former CBS This Morning ep-turned The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ep Chris Licht.
There were TV newsers from other networks in attendance. Garrett’s former colleague at Fox News, Megyn Kelly, stopped by early in the evening. Garrett told us that she was one of the first to show up, and that the duo were good friends and worked closely together during their respective tenures at FNC.
Garrett appeared on America Live with Megyn Kelly on his final day at the network in 2010.
Kelly was also spotted chatting with the aforementioned Rhodes before departing. Both are ex-Fox Newsers.
Fox News anchor Sandra Smith (another former colleague of Garrett’s) and MSNBC host Ari Melber were also in attendance.
Garrett made remarks at one point during the party, thanking everyone for coming, and giving a special shout out to his lit agent and his editor.
He added: “When I was a print reporter at a newspaper, we thought all the cool kids worked for magazines; and then I went to work for a magazine, and we thought all the cool kids were on television; and then I got into television and then I learned all the cool kids were authors!” said Garrett. “Here’s the actual truth that is part and partial of my 35 year-career: Journalists and journalism is the cool thing. That’s what we do; that’s what matters; that’s what lasts.
I said this long before Donald Trump became a political figure in our country, and it will be true for as long as I live and long after I’m dead: Credible journalism will always outlast incredible politicians…and that’s what we do. I’m proud to do it for David [Rhodes], and for everyone at CBS News.”
