After his debut, Trump says Gridiron gala was ‘great fun’

WASHINGTON — It was an enjoyable presidential debut at the Gridiron Club’s annual dinner for Donald Trump, who dished out pointed one-liners and endured some barbs from political rivals and the press.

The gala “was great fun,” he tweeted on Sunday. “I am accomplishing a lot in Washington and have never had a better time doing something, and especially since this is for the American People!”

During his remarks Saturday night, the president largely put aside his criticism of the media.

“Nobody does self-deprecating humor better than I do,” said Trump, who skipped last year’s bash. He also said: “I was very excited to receive this invitation and ruin your evening in person. That’s why I accepted.”

The annual dinner of the Gridiron Club and Foundation, now in its 133rd year, traces its history to 1885, when President Grover Cleveland refused to attend. Every president since has come to at least one Gridiron.

The organization said the event attracted about 660 journalists, media executives, lawmakers, administration officials and military officers.

Members of the Washington press corps sharpened their wits for musical and rhetorical takedowns of the president, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama.

A sampling of Trump’s 30-minute plus speech:

› On his son-in-law: “We were late tonight because Jared could not get through security.”

› On Vice President Mike Pence: “He is one of the best straight men you’re ever going to meet … he is straight. Man.” Trump also said, “I really am proud to call him the apprentice “

› On Attorney General Jeff Sessions: “I offered him a ride over and he recused himself. What are you going to do?”

› On The New York Times: “I’m a New York icon. You’re a New York icon. And the only difference is I still own my buildings.”

› On former chief strategist Steven Bannon: “That guy leaked more than the Titanic.”