Footage and photographs widely circulated indicate that attendees of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, which was abruptly cut short due to nearby gunfire, took wine bottles from the tables as they departed.
United States President Donald Trump attended the annual gathering on Saturday, marking his first appearance there during his presidency. Prior to the American leader’s scheduled address, a few shots were heard outside the reception hall. Secret Service agents evacuated Trump and his cabinet members. The guests were subsequently escorted out; at one point, there was an expectation that the event would resume, and journalists were asked to return to their seats, but ultimately the dinner was entirely canceled.
On broadcast footage, one woman was visible taking a bottle of champagne, quickly followed by a wine bottle. Nearby, three individuals were photographed holding bottles. Another female guest became a meme sensation after a photographer captured her in the hotel corridors: clad in a vibrant red, off-the-shoulder gown, she was seen smiling while carrying a bottle of wine in each hand.
The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is an annual affair where guests are required to adhere to a specific dress code: tuxedos for men and formal evening gowns for women. Membership in the association is required for participation, and tickets are not provided without charge. Entry to the dinner costs upwards of three hundred dollars per ticket. Typically, media organizations purchase multiple tables for their staff, with each table costing up to three thousand dollars.
Following the incident, the US President confirmed that he and his cabinet members were safe and that the perpetrator had been apprehended. Authorities identified the suspect as Cole Thomas Allen, a 31-year-old resident of California.
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