Thousands of meals went unserved Saturday during the White House Correspondent's Dinner, as gunfire outside the Washington Hilton ballroom sparked panic cut the annual event short.
Guests at the dinner reportedly received the first part of theirmeal— a spring pea & burrata salad — but the prime chateaubriand steak and Maine lobster was not served.
But according to the hotel and reporters at the scene, the food found a home, after all.
"The Hilton donated the ~2600 dinners that went unserved at WHCD. They freeze dried the steak and lobster for longer shelf life before giving them to 2 shelters for abused women and children," according toWeijia Jiang, CBS News correspondent and the president of the White House Correspondents' Association. "HUGE thank you to the staff that worked through the night under terrible circumstances."
Steve Thomma, the executive director of the association, said the meals weredonatedto shelters in Clifton, Virginia, and Calvert County, Maryland.
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Security officials evacuate U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as a possible shooter opened fire during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026. President Donald Trump, who was in attendance, said a shooter was apprehended in a social media post.Trump and first lady Melania Trump were evacuated out of the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner minutes after it began, as attendees took cover on the floor. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Trump officials evacuate White House press dinner amid reported shooting
Security officials evacuate U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as a possible shooter opened fire duringthe annual White House Correspondents' Association dinnerin Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026. President Donald Trump, who was in attendance, said a shooter was apprehended in a social media post.Trumpand first ladyMelania Trumpwere evacuated out of the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner minutes after it began, as attendees took cover on the floor.
It's apparently a common occurrence for leftover meals at the Hilton to be donated, a spokesperson toldPeople.
"The hotel regularly donates unused food from events to support local organizations and their work in the community," the spokesperson said.
Remaining produce was composted "and will be sent to farms for agricultural use."
The White House Correspondent's Dinner has not yet been rescheduled.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Was the food from the White House Correspondent's Dinner donated?