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State Dinner Crashers On Today Show: We Were Invited!
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 1, 2009
Modified Dec 1, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 1, 2009
Modified Dec 1, 2009
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The couple accused of waltzing into President Obama's first State Dinner uninvited and mugging with dignitaries and VIPs—and the President himself—appeared on the Today Show this morning and to insist they were invited to the event. Tareq Salahi said the incident has been "the most devastating thing that has ever happened" to himself and wife Michaele, emphasizing they "did not party-crash the White House."
According to the AP, the couple, who is vying to be on the upcoming Bravo reality series, "The Real Housewives of D.C.," is apparently "cooperating with the Secret Service." Tareq Salahi added they have "great respect" for Obama and felt that "the truth will come out" about how they got into the dinner.
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The White House says the couple was not invited, but now there are reports that the Salahis corresponded with a Defense Department official about attending the dinner. The Washington Post reports, "People familiar with the inquiry into how the Salahis were able to attend Tuesday's gala, even though they weren't on the official guest list, said the Salahis exchanged e-mails with Michele S. Jones, special assistant to the secretary of defense and the Pentagon-based liaison to the White House." (One of Jones' Facebook friends: the Salahis' lawyer!)
A Salahi friend say the e-mail trail "confirm[s] they were legitimately supposed to be there," but, in a White House-released statement, Jones said, "I did not state at any time, or imply that I had tickets for ANY portion of the evening's events. I specifically stated that they did not have tickets and in fact that I did not have the authority to authorize attendance, admittance or access to any part of the evening's activities. Even though I informed them of this, they still decided to come."
While the embarrassed Secret Service admitted fault in allowing the couple in (but insisted there was no harm to the President or guests of honor), there is an investigation into the incident and the House's Homeland Security Committee wants to interview the couple.
Tagged
invite
Michaele Salahi
party crasher
secret service
State dinner
Tareq Salahi
uninvited
White House
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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