Content Advisory: This article discusses a shooting at a public event and related criminal charges. Reader discretion is advised.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner ended in chaos after a shooting cut the night short, but one strange question lingered after the ballroom cleared out: What happened to all that steak and lobster?
Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, said Monday that roughly 2,600 unserved meals from the Washington Hilton were donated after the dinner was halted Saturday night.
The meals had been prepared for one of Washington’s most high-profile nights, with President Donald Trump, administration officials, lawmakers and journalists in attendance. The shooting happened shortly after the salad course, leaving thousands of main courses untouched.
The Meals Went To Women And Children’s Shelters
Jiang, who is also a senior White House correspondent for CBS News, shared the update on X. She said hotel staff “freeze dried the steak and lobster for longer shelf life before giving them to 2 shelters for abused women and children.”
Jiang also thanked the workers who handled the situation under brutal circumstances. “HUGE thank you to the staff that worked through the night under terrible circumstances,” she wrote.
A spokesperson for the Washington Hilton said the hotel regularly donates unused event food to local organizations. “Food from this weekend was donated to our local community partners, and remaining produce items were composted for agricultural use at farms,” the spokesperson said.
The Dinner Was Cut Short After Gunfire
The shooting reportedly happened one floor above the ballroom, where guests had gathered for the annual WHCA dinner.
Authorities say the suspect, 31-year-old Cole Allen, charged a security checkpoint while armed. He was charged Monday with attempting to assassinate Trump, transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said Allen would also face a fourth charge of assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
During the shootout, a Secret Service officer was struck but survived because of a bulletproof vest.
WHCA Is Still Deciding What Comes Next
Allen has not entered a plea. He is due back in court Thursday for a detention hearing, with a preliminary hearing set for May 11 unless a grand jury returns an indictment before then.
Authorities have also reviewed writings allegedly tied to the suspect. An administration official confirmed that a manifesto was written by the alleged gunman, who reportedly referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin.”
As for the dinner itself, Jiang said the WHCA board will meet to assess what happened and decide how to proceed.
