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December 1, 2009

Don't call us party crashers, couple says

Posted: 02:20 PM ET

by Brian Stelter via New York Times

They were not on the White House guest list, but Michaele and Tareq Salahi insist that they are not party crashers.

In their first televised interview since being accused of slipping past White House security and attending President Obama’s first state dinner a week ago, the aspiring reality TV stars said they were eager to explain what had happened — but that they would have to wait until a later interview to do so.

“We did not party crash the White House,” Mr. Salahi said on the “Today” show on NBC.

“There isn’t anyone that would have the audacity or the poor behavior to do that,” Ms. Salahi added later.

But when Matt Lauer, a host of the show, asked “Who invited you?” the couple did not answer. Instead, Mr. Salahi said: “One of the things that we’re doing is we’re working closely with the Secret Service in their internal investigation. We’re respecting their timeline. We’re working on their timeline. We want to get through that process.”

Mr. Salahi added that they had “turned over documentation” to the Secret Service, which may have been a reference to e-mail messages between the couple and Michele S. Jones, a special assistant to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates who serves as a liaison to the White House.

The Salahis tried to obtain tickets to the state dinner through Ms. Jones. But in a statement released by the White House on Monday, Ms. Jones said she told the couple that she “did not have the authority to authorize attendance, admittance or access to any part of the evening’s activities.”

(READ MORE)

Filed under: Obama • White House


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lindafromnewyork   December 1st, 2009 2:43 pm ET

So, what should we call you then? Celebrity wannabees? Looking for your own reality show? –get a real job.


linda from new mexico   December 1st, 2009 4:16 pm ET

Hey, how about addressing all those reposessions that were made from this couple, they are obviously not as important as they think they are. Instead of making them instant celebrities...for bad behavior!


RRosado   December 1st, 2009 5:44 pm ET

What they did was wrong but the security bridge is the disturbing matter here. I thought that the whole purpose of security was to avoid people like this from crashing like they did.
Having three security points at this party meant they knew people like this may always try to get in, their success only mean that security only exists now to make attendants to the party feel important!


MsNomer n AZ   December 1st, 2009 5:48 pm ET

a reality show of older version of Spensor and Heidi...no thanks... who watches those awful shows anyway???????


JEAN A SAINT FLEUR   December 1st, 2009 8:15 pm ET

Well, the whole thing is because those two couple are white if they were black they would not make it to the front gate.
This is what United States is all about if you white you can get away with anything.


olga   December 1st, 2009 8:40 pm ET

they need to go & work in a homeless shelter & soup kitchen,,etc.


J23   December 2nd, 2009 12:00 am ET

Matthew Davis stated that he believed that the Salahis's were invited to the party – he said "this is the white house, its not like crashing a nite club"- This comment was thought provoking:

If the Salahis were not invited – We are putting so much energy into (when you break it down) – "PARTY CRASHERS"

SHOULDN'T WE PUTTING OUR ENERGY IN "PROTECTING OUR COMMANDER AND CHEIF"


antonio Romeo   December 2nd, 2009 1:33 am ET

I think its not a crime they were just lucky to get in and thats the adventure of a lifetime! Next stop North Korean dictators party!!!


J23   December 2nd, 2009 1:46 am ET

Antonio – I agree with you – LUCKY – but should we rely on "LUCK" when it comes to protecting our President –

If North Korea had this kind of access to our president – I don't think they would be interested in "crashing a party"


Hughes J   December 2nd, 2009 2:59 am ET

The Salahi's say they are not "party crashers?" Well, I guess this is what we all will think until proof of a legal invitation from the White House are provided for the public to think otherwise.


louise   December 2nd, 2009 4:57 am ET

she spent 7 hrs in a beauty salon & spa ? unof...she has a deep raspy voice, a chain smoker perhaps ...


Jessica   December 2nd, 2009 5:20 am ET

JEAN A SAINT FLEUR – It's people like you, with the attitude you have, that will never let America get passed the racial barrier we have created. It's been what? only like 100 years since slavery was abolished? 60 since popular segragation ended? Who knows? Maybe if it was a black couple the Secret Service would have thought it was one of the Obama's cousins and let them in too. Who knows?

It doesn't matter the race of the couple, their level of stupidity is what counts. Obviously these people are seriously delusional if they think they were invited to a party at the White House. It's obvious by the way they skip around questions and side step with their answers. By everyone booking them for interviews and trying to find out their "real" story – they are getting exactly what they want. Their 15 minutes of fame. They're like that annoying kid in class who threw stuff at the teacher to get attention.


Gerald Jolly   December 2nd, 2009 9:58 am ET

An appropriate name has now been attached to the Sahalis.

They are now refered too, in the tabloids as

"FAME WHORE" (HOW APPROPRIATE)


Frost   December 2nd, 2009 11:30 am ET

Why is the LKL or CNN for that matter courting these "CelebuTards?" Larry went on and on about booking them for his show...so he is basically rewarding the Salahi's disgusting behaviour. This happens all the time in America. From the Heenes to drug addicted celebrities and now to this couple; criminal/bad behaviour is constantly rewarded with a media blitz and reality show.
Think on this; what happens when a 'crazed attention seeker' streaks onto a ball field or some such during a sporting event. The networks NEVER show the person in an effort to NOT reward the behaviour.
Stop giving the Salehis and others like them what they're asking for. These people put the nation's security at risk. Shame on them and the media outlets rewarding the move.


Cali MJ Fan   December 2nd, 2009 12:41 pm ET

The only reason 'reality TV' has become the sensation it has is the profits television industry makes are the driving force. Our programs have been replaced with saturation of make-believe stars who fall as quickly as they rise. Please return scripted series plotlines and suspense– and eliminate the need for people such as these 'crashers' to gain 2 seconds of fame. PLEASE!


Annie   December 9th, 2009 8:39 am ET

... Not really understood in what to write ... well, okay)) The most important thing that I love Michael, and all of us-fans-love Michael! We know and believe that with him everything is fine! Michael is alive! I am no matter what I will wait for his return!
P.S. Michael, you are the most wonderful man in the world! We will always remember you and are very fond of you ...)) The fact that all the media write about you ... it's their problem and their stupidity! That they did not write, we always remember your words: "Not wiggle them!" And let them all go on about your death ... they did not know of one, that a man like you will never die! First of all, in memory of billions of fans all over our earth! Whatever happens, do not despair! Do everything the way you think is right ... we will always support you in your choice)) ...


Annie   December 9th, 2009 8:47 am ET

Sorry)))I want to tell you...that you telling us "Don't believe them"!))But not "wiggle"))


Liz   January 2nd, 2010 6:04 pm ET

Give them a break.

They looked fabulous!


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