Amid the chaos of the White House Correspondents’ dinner assassination attempt were acts of extreme bravery but also some that, in the cold light of day, appear completely bizarre and even slightly shady.
In the moments after a lone gunman opened fire just outside the Washington Hilton ballroom on Saturday night local time, the actions of one person dubbed ‘Salad Man’ has left the internet in awe.
While others either fled or ducked for cover under tables, he stayed seated, tucking into a spring pea and buffalo burrata salad as US President Donald Trump and other senior administration officials were whisked away by Secret Service agents.
‘Salad Man’ has now been identified as Michael Glantz, a top agent at Creative Artists Agency.
He has explained his seemingly nonchalant attitude to the scary scenes playing out around him.
“I’m a New Yorker,” he said in a video post on White House Correspondents Insider’s Instagram.
“We live with sirens and activity happening all the time. I wasn’t scared. There are hundreds of Secret Service agents hurtling themselves over tables and chairs, and I wanted to watch.
As for why he didn’t join almost every other dinner guest hiding under tables, he explained: “First of all, I have a bad back. I couldn’t get on the floor, and if I did get on the floor, they’d have to bring in people to get me off the floor. And No. 2, I’m a hygiene freak. There was no freaking way I was getting in my new tux on the dirty Hilton floor. It was not happening.”
The internet is loving his cold as ice reaction.
“This is what one wishes in life. Just a few moments of peace and serenity all around, so you can finish your salad,” one wrote.
Another wrote: “I aspire to this man’s chill. Protect the tux and pass the dressing brother!
“Chaos around him. Composure at the table. Keep my salad safe,” yet another chimed in.
Meanwhile, the actions of others in the moments after what is believed to have been the third attempt on Donald Trump’s life, have also come under scrutiny, with one glamorously dressed woman caught on camera apparently stealing alcohol from one of the abandoned tables.
The woman’s shameless move has not gone down well with many.
“So, there you have press members STEALING wine bottles: this is who the press is! Repugnant!”
Another wrote on : “Press corps at WHCD literally stealing wine bottles after the chaos last night. Video shows them grabbing multiple unopened bottles from tables like it’s an open bar free for all. Classy as always from the elite media. What a perfect visual for who they really are.”
But others praised the woman for snatching the booze. “Priorities level: elite Shots fired? Chaos everywhere? Doesn’t matter. “journalist” made sure stealing wine bottles after the shootout in White House correspondent’s dinner”
Yet another wrote, “Bro they paid $350+ a plate and the night got canceled early, free wine tax refund is fair game.”
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