David Smith

Trump recognized that the real problem was a lack of leadership.

And so ultimately you didn't blame Little John or Meatloaf.

You fired Gary Busey.

And these are the kind of decisions that would keep me up at night.

The biggest thing I remember was just being utterly confused and that sense of commotion.

Trump, seizing this moment for his own political advantage, turned this into an advert for his $400 million ballroom at the White House.

What journalists experienced on Saturday nights is frankly what millions of Americans have in town halls, in churches, even in schools.

Political violence does remain in America a real characteristic of the Trump era.

Yeah, it's great to be here.

This is an annual dinner I've attended many times, and the evening began very normally.

Guests in tuxedos and ball gowns filing into this subterranean ballroom at the Washington Hilton Hotel.

Of course, what was different this year was Donald Trump was attending as president for the first time.

He saluted during the

National Anthem took his seat.

And for about 30 to 40 minutes, we were just making small talk, eating salad, drinking wine.

And then suddenly I heard some loud bangs towards the back of the ballroom.

No idea what it was, as Trump himself said later.

It could have been plates clattering.

I turned, saw guests diving for cover under tables.

And that sort of moved like a wave through the room and thought, well, maybe I had better do the same.