A viral video showing a man calmly eating salad during a security scare at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has sparked widespread attention online, even as investigations continue into the incident that led to the evacuation of President Donald Trump and other senior officials.
The man, identified as Michael Glantz, a talent agent at Creative Artists Agency, was filmed remaining seated and eating as chaos unfolded inside the Washington Hilton, where the annual dinner was being held.
The event was interrupted after reports of gunfire outside the venue triggered panic and a rapid security response.
U.S. Secret Service agents evacuated President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other guests as law enforcement secured the building. Authorities later confirmed that one suspect was taken into custody.
Viral moment during security evacuation
The video showing Glantz eating as others stood up and rushed to safety quickly spread across social media platforms. In the clip, most attendees can be seen reacting to the emergency while Glantz remains seated at his table, continuing his meal.
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In an interview with TMZ, Glantz said he was aware of the situation but did not feel immediate danger due to the heavy presence of security personnel inside the venue.
“I felt very safe,” he said, adding that law enforcement was already responding quickly inside the building. He described the situation as something unusual but said he chose to observe what was happening rather than panic.
Glantz also said he understood why the moment went viral but downplayed its significance, calling the attention “a bit silly.”
Concern for others in the room
Despite the viral attention, Glantz said his focus during the incident was not on his meal but on the safety of others in the room. He told TMZ that his main concern was CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, who was seen falling during the evacuation.
Glantz, who represents several media figures through his work in the entertainment industry, said he was relieved that no fatalities were reported in the incident. Officials have confirmed that although shots were fired outside the venue, no one was killed.
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Law enforcement agencies have not released full details about how the suspect gained access to the area near the security screening point. Investigations are ongoing.
Security response at White House Dinner
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, an annual event attended by journalists, political leaders, and government officials, was quickly shut down after the security alert.
President Trump later confirmed that all attendees were safely evacuated and said the event would be rescheduled.
U.S. Secret Service officials said they responded within minutes of the reported gunfire and secured the area.
One suspect was detained at the scene and is currently in custody. Authorities have not confirmed whether additional individuals are being investigated.
