DC kicks off Correspondents’ weekend at UTA party

by Judy Kurtz - 04/27/24 10:22 AM ET

Jeffrey Katzenberg, Jay Sures and second gentlemen Doug Emhoff at UTA WHCD Pre-Party: A Celebration of American Journalists event in Washington, D.C. on Friday, April 26, 2024. (Jason Lowrie/ BFA)

It was a party packed to the brim with media, entertainment and political figures as Washington kicked off White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner weekend with a lively fete hosted by United Talent Agency (UTA.)

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff was seen braving the crowds at Fiola Mare in Georgetown at UTA’s annual “Celebration of America’s Journalists” soiree on Friday, held on the eve of the Correspondents’ dinner.

Bill Nye at UTA’s annual “Celebration of America’s Journalists” soiree Friday, April 26, 2024 in Washington D.C. (Jason Lowrie / BFA)

The bash represented the sometimes-off the wall assortment of media and pop culture personalities who come together for D.C.’s big night, not-so-affectionately dubbed “Nerd Prom:” Bill Nye “the Science Guy,” could be eyed just a few feet away from CNN’s Jake Tapper, as “Ted Lasso” star Brendan Hunt passed by.

One guest offered to lead Sen. Amy Klobuchar through the swarm of partygoers, telling the smiling Minnesota Democrat, “I’ll be your Trojan horse.”

Jay Sures and Ashley Biden attend UTA’s annual “Celebration of America’s Journalists” soiree Friday, April 26, 2024 in Washington D.C. (Jason Lowrie / BFA)

Among those spotted at the hot-ticket event: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, CNN’s Jeff Zeleny, David Chalian, Sam Feist, Kate Bolduan and Dana Bash, UTA vice chairman Jay Sures, Adrienne Elrod, Tammy Haddad, Francesca Chambers and Michael Moroney, MSNBC’s Katie Phang, Fox News comedian Jimmy Failla, George Conway, “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, WHCA president and NBC News White House correspondent Kelly O’Donnell, Fox News’ Kennedy, Kara Swisher and Ashley and Naomi Biden.