‘Salad Man’ Goes Viral After Calmly Eating During Correspondents’ Dinner Chaos

WASHINGTON — A talent agent representing CNN’s Wolf Blitzer went viral as “the salad man” after he calmly continued eating his appetizer while Secret Service agents rushed federal officials — including President Donald Trump — out of the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner following apparent gunshots Saturday night. 

Michael Glantz, a senior agent at Creative Artists Agency, remained seated at his otherwise empty table in the Washington Hilton ballroom as roughly 2,000 guests dove for cover or huddled under tables. A CNN livestream captured him nonchalantly finishing his spring pea and burrata salad as heavily armed agents burst in, yelling for people to get down and charging through the dining area. 

The chaos erupted after a series of apparent gunshots rang out just outside the ballroom doors. No one inside was reported injured. 

Glantz told TMZ he felt safe amid the heavy law enforcement presence and simply wanted to watch. “Not every day you see something like that go down,” he said. He added that he was glad the clip brought some levity to what he called a “horrific moment,” though his main concern was for Blitzer, who was knocked over nearby. 

In an interview with The New York Times, Glantz explained why he never hit the floor. “I’m a New Yorker,” he said. “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.” 

He also cited a bad back that would have made getting down — and getting back up — difficult, along with his self-described “hygiene freak” tendencies. 

“There was no freaking way I was getting in my new tux on the dirty Hilton floor,” he said.

CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter identified Glantz on X as the man in the viral video, writing, “CAA super-agent Michael Glantz is the man eating his salad in this viral video.”

Social media quickly dubbed him “the salad man,” with admirers calling him a “chill man” and “absolute legend” for not flinching, not putting down his fork or ducking as the room panicked. 

Glantz represents high-profile media figures through CAA and had attended the annual black-tie event as a guest. The incident occurred shortly after attendees had begun their first course.