Washington, D.C. — As gunfire sent hundreds scrambling for safety at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night, viral video shows some attendees leaving the ballroom with bottles of wine and champagne in hand—sparking a wave of backlash over their behavior during a security emergency.
The footage emerged after an armed man stormed the Washington Hilton and fired shots near the event, prompting Secret Service agents to evacuate President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other U.S. officials. While most guests rushed out, several clips show individuals in formal attire grabbing unopened bottles from tables as they exited.
Viral footage fuels “Wine-Gate” backlash
One widely shared video shows a woman carrying two bottles of wine while moving toward the exit as the room clears. Other clips appear to show multiple attendees doing the same, turning what was already a chaotic evacuation into a flashpoint for online criticism.
The reaction on social media was immediate and divided. Critics called the behavior “repugnant” and “tone-deaf,” arguing that taking alcohol during what was initially feared to be an assassination attempt showed poor judgment.
Others pushed back, noting that the alcohol was included with the high-priced tickets and would likely have been discarded once the event shut down.
Chaos unfolded after armed suspect opened fire
According to reporting from the Associated Press, the incident began when a 31-year-old man from California, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, rushed toward the ballroom armed with guns and knives and opened fire.
Secret Service agents intercepted him before he reached the main event space. One agent was struck but protected by a bullet-resistant vest and is recovering. Trump and other U.S. officials were evacuated unharmed.
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Key Points
• Viral video shows dinner attendees taking wine during evacuation after shooting
• Incident occurred during White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington
• Armed suspect in custody; one agent injured but survived due to protective vest
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Behavior during crisis draws scrutiny
The contrast between the seriousness of the security breach and the actions seen in the videos has become central to the controversy.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is one of the most high-profile annual gatherings in Washington, bringing together journalists, politicians, and celebrities. The expectation of decorum—especially during a crisis—has fueled debate about whether the behavior crossed a line.
At the same time, some observers argue the clips capture only brief moments during a fast-moving evacuation, and may not fully reflect the urgency or confusion attendees experienced.
No official response from organizations
As of Sunday, no major media organizations have publicly identified individuals shown in the videos or issued statements addressing the incident.
Event organizers and officials have also not commented on the footage or whether any guidance was given to attendees during the evacuation.
Ongoing investigation
Federal authorities continue investigating the shooting, including how the suspect was able to approach the event while armed and what his motive may have been.
The suspect remains in custody and is expected to face charges, while questions about both security protocols and attendee conduct continue to circulate in the aftermath.