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‘Wine-Gate’: Did journalists ‘steal’ booze after White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting?

Chaos and panic were evident in footage that emerged from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday (April 25) night after gunshots were heard at the high-profile event attended by US President Donald Trump and his Cabinet members. Some viral clips claim that journalists resorted to ‘looting’ wine bottles after the shooting incident. Is there any truth?

Some X users have claimed that 'journalists stole' wine bottles at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Image Courtesy: X (Screengrabs)

FP Explainers|Apr 27, 2026, 11:11:03 IST

The shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday (April 25) night left the world stunned. Footage of United States President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other Cabinet members being evacuated from the ballroom of the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington DC went viral online.

There was another video that caught the attention of netizens, sparking a "Wine Gate" controversy. Some accounts posted clips from the black-tie event, claiming that “journalists” were busy with a “Great Wine Heist” while members of security forces rushed to evacuate the guests after shots were heard.

Let’s take a closer look.

Did journalists ‘steal’ booze?

Several videos have emerged on social media from the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

The evening of wit and glamour turned into horror and terror when a gunman opened fire near a security checkpoint, on the floor above the ballroom, where thousands of guests had gathered.

Many clips showed the reaction of attendees as chaos spread after the shooting incident.

In a video, a woman wearing a long coat can be seen picking up two champagne bottles from a table while another person looks on. Another unidentified person was also holding an apparently unopened wine bottle.

A picture of a man wearing a white tuxedo who is holding two wine bottles was also posted by a user on X.

Soon after the visuals surfaced, people started claiming that members of the “press” were “stealing” luxury wine bottles while security agents were busy evacuating the attendees at the gala.

Some 2,600 journalists and their guests – dressed in tuxedos and gowns – were seated across the vast ballroom at the Washington Hilton hotel. As per a Reuters report, they had just sat down for the salad courses and glasses of wine when commotion broke out.

At the time, US President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President Vance and other dignitaries were seated at a long head table. As gunshots rang, Secret Service agents rushed the top US officials out of the ballroom.

The suspect in Saturday night's shooting, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, is a California teacher who was a guest at the hotel. He allegedly fired rounds from a shotgun that struck a Secret Service agent before he was brought down by police. No other injuries were reported and the agent has been discharged.

Social media users react to ‘Wine Gate’

The phrase ‘Wine Gate’ started trending on social media as the clips of people picking up wine bottles at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner surfaced.

Critics condemned the "press members", calling the behaviour the ultimate symbol of “media rot."

A user wrote on X: “Bro they are removing the journos from the ballroom and journos are taking all the booze with them two bottles at a time LMAOOOOO".

Another user also shared clips from the event: “When people fled… they swiped entire bottles on their way out."

A third user commented: “The president didn’t die. Why leave a good wine on the table?" Another added, “They still have to enjoy the party even if it’s in their living room.

"The leader of the free world almost just got assassinated," a post read. "And the 'truth-seekers' are using the distraction to stock their home bars? Absolute disgrace."

Firstpost has not verified the authenticity of the video or claims made by the accounts. There has also been no official response from organisers or representatives of the press corps addressing the viral footage.

The annual dinner, organised by the White House Correspondents’ Association, celebrates the First Amendment. It brings political reporters and White House officials together, paying a nod to the importance of a free press.

With inputs from agencies