Gayle King sparks confusion at Sun Valley's 'billionaire summer camp' after string of controversial appearances
The event attracts some of the biggest names in the corporate world, like Disney's CEO Bob Iger and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
The summer retreat includes some laid-back activities like biking and hiking, per The Observer, but most importantly, the moguls are there for business.
Also on the agenda are 'high-level meetings and private lectures,' the outlet reported, many of which are confidential and closed off to the public and media.
This year, it's attracted billionaires like Wendi Murdoch, Ivanka Trump and... Gayle King?
While it's not the first time that she has attended the retreat - doing so in both 2023 and 2024 - it is the latest controversial high-profile appearance for the 70-year-old in recent months.
She found herself in hot water with fans for attending Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' wedding in Venice, Italy, last month as well as for launching into space with Sánchez, Katy Perry and other stars on Blue Origin in April.
After the Daily Mail reported seeing the journalist at the retreat Tuesday, readers flooded to the comments to share their confusion over her arrival.
'This Gayle King woman seems to pop up at every celebrity gathering imaginable. Why?' one person wrote, in part.
The summer retreat includes some laid-back activities like biking and hiking, per The Observer , but most importantly, the moguls are there for business
Referencing her long-time pal Oprah Winfrey, another seconded, 'Oprah come get your girl. She has absolutely no business being at this retreat.'
One commenter shared, 'Gayle is getting invited to all the fancy schmancy events like the race to space, the Bezos wedding and now this.
'She's definitely cultivating her social life.'
'WHY is Gayle King popping up everywhere?? She's nowhere near as important or special as she thinks she is,' one user penned.
Daily Mail reached out to King's reps for comment - but did not hear back.
On social media, King hasn't posted anything about being at the conference, or in Sun Valley at all for that matter.
In late June, the journalist attended the luxurious, multi-day Venetian extravaganza of a wedding between Bezos and Sánchez, which she went to with best friend Oprah.
The two were seen walking around Venice and attending the multiple celebrations held by the couple.
But when King returned to her post at CBS Mornings after the wedding, some viewers were less than impressed to see her back on their screens and voiced their disappointment.
On Instagram, one said: 'Used to be a huge fan of Gayle, but no more. Just go hang out with your billionaire friends and ruin the earth.'
'You were so genuine and now you're becoming just too much,' sniped another.
'And she's back from the fancy wedding,' said a third.
Over on X, formerly Twitter, another continued: 'Gayle King is back to CBS Mornings after attending the Robber Barron's wedding. I'm surprised how mad and disappointed in her I am.'
During coverage of the wedding, a CBS News reporter called out the festivities as 'performative' — despite Gayle's attendance.
Reporting live from Venice for CBS Mornings, correspondent Seth Doane delivered a pointed summary of the over-the-top nuptials and their celebrity guest list.
Gayle's controversial friendship with Lauren was cemented in May when the duo jetted off to space on Jeff's Blue Origin rocket for 11 minutes, along with Katy Perry, Kerianne Flynn, Aisha Bowe, and Amanda Nguyễn.
The trip ignited a media storm and was branded a publicity stunt and a 'gluttonous' display of wealth by critics, who additionally said the mission lacked purpose.
At the time, Gayle hit back at critics during an interview with People and told the publication that anyone 'criticizing it doesn't really understand what is happening here.'
'We can all speak to the response we're getting from young women from young girls about what this represents,' the journalist told the publication in defense of the mission.
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