Did anyone notice the book she is working on is titled "Eyes Wide Open"? Sec Pompeo likes that phrase.
Yes and no. They are typically reserved for large campaign donors, or a group of people placed their for optics. No money is actually paid for the VIP access though. There is no way flannelboi ended up where he was unless it was intentional. Anyone that is in camera view behind the President was put their intentionally. While people are filling the seats White house staff shuffle people around in the VIP section. You don't just decide to sit there.