Trump makes debut on Washington’s social scene

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has made his debut on Washington’s social scene.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump hosted a Sunday night fundraiser for Ford’s Theatre, the venue where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.

Trump to date has limited his socializing to the White House and his Trump-branded properties.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 04: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk on stage during the annual gala at the Ford's Theatre to honor President Abraham Lincoln's legacy , on June 4, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images) — First lady Melania Trump walks on stage during the annual gala at the Ford’s Theatre to honor President Abraham Lincoln’s legacy on June 4, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 04: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump acknowledge the audience during the annual gala at the Ford's Theatre to honor President Abraham Lincoln's legacy , on June 4, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images) — President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump acknowledge the audience during the annual gala at the Ford’s Theatre to honor President Abraham Lincoln’s legacy on June 4, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump acknowledge the audience during the annual gala at the Ford’s Theatre to honor President Abraham Lincoln’s legacy on June 4, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk from the stage during the Ford’s Theatre Annual Gala at the Ford’s Theatre in Washington, Sunday, June 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump, joined by first lady Melania Trump, speaks during the Ford’s Theatre Annual Gala at the Ford’s Theatre in Washington, Sunday, June 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

First lady Melania Trump exits the residence to attend a reception at Ford’s Theatre on June 4, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

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Since taking office in mid-January, Trump has turned down invitations to a series of high-wattage staples of the D.C. social scene where an appearance by the president is routine. The events include the Alfalfa Club dinner, the Gridiron Club dinner and, perhaps most famously, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Ronald Reagan is the most recent president to skip the dinner thrown by the White House press corps. He was recovering from an assassination attempt.