Michael Glantz, a seasoned talent agent in the media industry, unexpectedly became a focal point during the attack on Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner last Saturday. As chaos ensued, cameras caught Glantz calmly eating his salad amidst a sea of guests diving beneath tables at the sound of gunfire.
The alarming event unfolded on April 25 during the 105th Annual White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton. A gunman entered the hotel lobby and fired between five to eight shots near the metal detectors, as reported by The New York Times.
A video of Glantz—an older man with white hair and glasses, nonchalantly raising his fork to his mouth while Secret Service agents shouted around him—quickly went viral, earning him the nickname "Salad Man" on social media.
The following day, Glantz humorously explained his composed demeanor in an interview with WHCInsider: "I was born and raised in New York. It didn't faze me at all. I didn't want to miss the show."
He further elaborated with two other reasons for not ducking: "I have a bad back. I couldn't get down on the floor. I'm hygienic. I wasn't going to put my tuxedo on a dirty floor."
Currently employed at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), one of the top entertainment agencies in the U.S., Glantz boasts over 35 years in the media business. He began his career in 1978 as an intern at WCBS-TV and later worked for networks like MTV and NBC News before co-founding the boutique agency Headline Media Management in 2004. His agency has represented prominent figures such as Wolf Blitzer, Meredith Vieira, and Brad Nessler.
Among his distinguished clients is CNN host Wolf Blitzer, adding a layer of irony to Glantz's presence at an event covered by the very journalists he represents.
Glantz's viral moment wasn't the only standout incident that evening: another video showed a woman in a black fur coat collecting wine bottles from abandoned tables while others evacuated the hall.
The attacker was identified as Cole Thomas Allen, a 31-year-old teacher from Torrance, California. He left a manifesto in his hotel room, dubbing himself the "Friendly Federal Killer" and justifying his actions as an ideological protest against the Trump administration.
Trump was safely evacuated by the Secret Service along with First Lady Melania, Vice President JD Vance, and other high-ranking officials. A Secret Service agent survived thanks to his bulletproof vest, and there were no civilian casualties or injuries.
This incident marks the third assassination attempt on Trump in less than two years, following previous attempts in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024, and West Palm Beach, Florida, in September of the same year.
Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents' Association, succinctly encapsulated the night's spirit amidst the chaos: "We'll do it again."
Key Details and Events from the Trump Attack
Who is Michael Glantz?
Michael Glantz is a veteran talent agent in the media industry, currently working at Creative Artists Agency (CAA). He became known for his calm demeanor during the attack on Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
What happened during the White House Correspondents' Dinner?
During the 105th Annual White House Correspondents' Dinner, a gunman fired shots near the metal detectors at the Washington Hilton, causing panic among the guests. No civilian casualties or injuries were reported.
How did social media react to the incident?
A video of Michael Glantz calmly eating his salad during the chaos went viral, and he was humorously dubbed "Salad Man" on social media. The incident garnered widespread attention and commentary online.