As journalists and politicians scrambled under tables at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, one man remained unflappable, calmly enjoying his meal. Michael Glantz, a top agent at Creative Arts Agency, was captured on video nonchalantly picking at the salad on his plate and bringing it to his mouth moments after suspected gunman Cole Allen, 31, opened fire at the lavish event.
Viral Reaction
The footage quickly spread across social media, with some netizens expressing relatability. 'NEVER miss the opportunity to tuck into a nice piece of lobster,' one X user wrote. Another suggested: 'This old dude doesn't know what's going on. He knows he wants his cake though.'
However, Glantz stated he was simply unperturbed by the commotion and wished to observe the unfolding events as Secret Service agents tackled and arrested Allen, who allegedly entered the annual dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel armed with two guns and knives.
Glantz's Explanation
'I'm a New Yorker,' he told The New York Times. '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.' When asked about his decision not to take cover, Glantz cited 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,' he joked. 'And number two, 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.'
Incident Details
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump had just taken the stage with cabinet members moments before shots rang out, triggering chaos. One Secret Service agent was struck in his bulletproof vest and was expected to recover. Surveillance footage showed Allen entering the dinner clad in all black with a gun, charging past a security checkpoint before being tackled and handcuffed.
The annual black-tie gala, which brings together politicians and journalists, was barely underway when the Secret Service sprang into action after a series of shots at around 8:15 pm. Several agents rushed to secure the president and other high-level personnel, while others ushered cabinet members to safety.
Legal Consequences
Allen faces charges of two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. He is expected to be arraigned in federal court on Monday. If convicted, he could face 20 years for assault, with a minimum of ten years for weapons charges, potentially life in prison.
Manifesto Revealed
Since the shooting, Allen's eerie manifesto has come to light, indicating his disdain for Trump. In the manifesto, sent to his family just 10 minutes before the attack, he referred to himself as the 'Friendly Federal Assassin.' According to the New York Post, the manifesto read: 'Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I'm not the person raped in a detention camp. I'm not the fisherman executed without trial.'
He added: 'In order to minimize casualties, I will also be using buckshot rather than slugs (less penetration through walls).' His targets included 'administration officials (not including [FBI Director Kash] Patel): they are targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest.' Allen wrote, referencing the president: 'I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.'
