After Long Week, Jeff Zucker Thanks CNN Staff: “I Could Not Be More Proud”

After what he called an “extraordinary week” during which the CNN’s New York office was forced to evacuate after a bomb was found, the network’s president Jeff Zucker thanked his employees and encouraged them to get some rest before the Nov. 6 midterm elections.

“I want to thank you for your courage, your patience, your professionalism and your relentless commitment to informing the public when they need us most,” he wrote in a Friday afternoon memo obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. 

Continued Zucker: “This week we were in the unique position of both covering a story and also being a central part of it. That is a difficult place for a news organization to be. Our teams not only managed it, they excelled.”

Previewing CNN’s coverage of the midterm elections, he wrote, “It will continue to be as busy as ever. I want to thank you in advance for what I know will be tireless work, against a backdrop that presents unprecedented challenge. Please do try to find some time to rest.”

In the memo, Zucker called back to his words on Thursday, when he lashed out at President Donald Trump and White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and said they do not realize the impact of their rhetorical attacks on the media.

“There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media,” Zucker had said. “The president, and especially the White House press secretary, should understand their words matter. Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that.”

He closed the memo by saying, “As I said earlier this week, words matter. Please take mine to heart, and know that I appreciate everything you do. Thank you.”

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