Read it again. They had "invited guests" and then they opened the guests for first-come-first-served public at large. They probably had two roped-off areas, one for the invited guests and one or everyone else. I've been to many presidential events, that's the way it is usually done.
Are the eats better for the invited guests?
Okay, so they weren't invited, but they weren't NOT invited either, as there was an area for First come first served people. I just wanted it straight. Thank you!