Although he's not the only bigwig to be the targeted with pastry other notables include pundit Ann Coulter and New York Times columnist Tom Friedman the pie-ing of then-Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates was especially stunning, if only because his assailant scored a bullseye. In Brussels in February 1998 to meet with business leaders, Gates was hit in the face with a cream pie as he was about to enter a building. Stunned, but unhurt, Gates declined to press charges against the pranksters who said afterward they were motivated simply by mischief and not any particular grievance with Gates.