Unfazed 'Salad Man' eats calmly during White House dinner shooting

In a scene that could have been ripped from a Hollywood script, a man calmly enjoying a burrata salad amidst chaos at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner has become an unlikely internet sensation. Michael Glantz, a senior agent at Creative Artists Agency, was captured on video unfazed by a shooting incident that sent most attendees scrambling for cover.

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I'm a New Yorker. We live with sirens and incidents all the time. I wasn't scared.

While security personnel swarmed the venue and guests dove under tables, Glantz remained seated, seemingly engrossed in his meal. His nonchalant demeanor in the face of danger has drawn widespread attention, with many marveling at his composure. Glantz, however, attributes his calm to his upbringing as a New Yorker.

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I wanted to see what was happening. Hundreds of Secret Service agents were moving around, jumping over tables and chairs, and I wanted to see that.

"I'm a New Yorker. We live with sirens and incidents all the time. I wasn't scared," Glantz told The New York Times. He explained that his primary motivation was curiosity, wanting to observe the Secret Service agents in action. He also humorously cited a bad back and a strong aversion to dirty floors as reasons for not joining the scramble under the tables.

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First, my back is not good. I couldn't get down on the floor, and if I had, I would have needed people to help me get up.

Glantz's reaction, while unusual, has provided a moment of levity amidst a serious event. His story, shared across social media and news outlets, highlights a unique perspective on navigating unexpected crises. It's a reminder that even in moments of alarm, individual responses can vary dramatically, sometimes leading to unexpectedly viral and even humorous outcomes, a distinctly American blend of seriousness and absurdity.

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Second, I am very sensitive to hygiene. I would never lie down on the dirty floor wearing a new tuxedo. That was impossible.