Washington Press Gala: 'Salad Man,' the unflappable guest who kept dining despite shots, becomes a star
Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- A man became a viral sensation for his calm reaction to gunshots during a Washington press gala.
- Identified as talent agent Michael Glantz, he continued dining despite the panic, earning the nickname "Salad Man."
- Glantz cited being born and raised in New York, a back injury, and hygiene concerns as reasons for his stoic response.
A remarkable display of composure under fire has turned Michael Glantz, a talent agent with CAA, into an unlikely internet celebrity. During the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, amidst the chaos of apparent gunshots, Glantz remained seated, calmly continuing his meal. This unflappable demeanor, captured on video, quickly earned him the moniker "Salad Man" and sparked widespread discussion online.
ne pas sโรชtre senti nerveux
While others reacted with panic, Glantz's refusal to be deterred by the commotion set him apart. Later identified by The New York Times, Glantz explained his reaction by attributing it to his New York upbringing, a desire not to miss the "show," and a persistent back injury that made crouching difficult. He also humorously cited his "hygiene freak" nature, stating he would never put his clothes on the "dirty floor."
ne pas rater le spectacle
This incident occurred during the traditional White House Correspondents' Dinner, an event that, while typically a celebration of journalism, has recently been overshadowed by security concerns. The juxtaposition of Glantz's extraordinary calm against the backdrop of a potentially dangerous situation highlights a unique, perhaps quintessentially New York, resilience. While international coverage might focus on the security breach, for many, Glantz's stoic, almost absurd, reaction to the unfolding events became the most memorable, and perhaps most talked-about, aspect of the evening.
A aucun moment je nโaurais mis mes vรชtements sur ce sol sale, รงa ne risquait pas dโarriver
Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.