Trump Has Audience Rolling With Laughter At Charity Dinner
At the recent Al Smith Dinner, an annual charity event for Catholic causes, former President Donald Trump received cheers and laughter with his humorous remarks, while Vice President Kamala Harris notably chose to skip the event. Instead, she sent a pre-recorded video featuring comedian Molly Shannon, who parodied Harris’s absence and poked fun at Trump, suggesting that if Jesus were present, he would be fact-checking him.
Trump criticized Harris for not attending, calling her absence disrespectful to the event and the Catholic community. He maintained a comedic tone, making light of various political issues and his legal challenges while engaging with bipartisan attendees, including Democrats. His jokes included references to the campaign’s dynamics and playful barbs towards Harris and her running mate, which drew laughter from the crowd.
Despite Harris’s team claiming that Trump struggled with his speech, Trump’s performance was generally well-received, showcasing his ability to generate humor even amidst political rivalry. The event exemplified the tradition of political candidates using humor to bridge divides, although Harris’s choice to avoid direct confrontation with Trump raised questions about her campaign strategy.
Former President Donald Trump’s remarks at the Al Smith Dinner, an annual fundraiser for Catholic charities, won applause and laughter from the crowd. It’s a longstanding tradition for both major party candidates to attend the dinner and crack some good-natured jokes to foster goodwill amid the partisan rancor of the campaign season.
But Vice President Kamala Harris broke tradition to avoid facing Trump’s remarks, skipping the event and sending a pre-recorded video in her place.
“My opponent feels like she does not have to be here, which is deeply disrespectful to the event, and in particular to our great Catholic community. Very disrespectful,” Trump said to applause.
Harris submitted a pre-recorded video with comedian Molly Shannon, playing the Catholic Saturday Night Live character Mary Catherine Gallagher. It opened with a blushing Gallagher approaching Harris.
“I just want to say that I’m Catholic, and tonight is one of the biggest dinners next to the Last Supper,” Shannon said, proceeding to sing about female empowerment.
She mocked Catholics and said Jesus would be fact checking Trump at the speech.
“Does it bother you that that Trump guy insults you all the time? Because it really bothers my friends and me,” Shannon said to Harris.
The video ended with Harris’ platitudes about coming together and finding common ground — despite her absence at the event.
Comedian Jim Gaffigan spoke afterward, poking fun at Harris’ attempted humor.
“I don’t even know what that noise you’re making is,” Gaffigan said. “As I watched that, I couldn’t help but think that, ‘Now I know how my kids felt when I FaceTimed into a piano recital.’”
But Trump came across very likable, amiable to even political rivals like Democrats New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
“It’s been a long tradition for both Democrat and Republican candidates for president of the United States to attend this dinner. Always, it’s a rule, you’ve got to go to the dinner, otherwise bad things are going to happen to you from up there,” Trump said to laughter from the attendees. “You do something that’s incredible, the Catholic Church. You’re helping the poor, educating children, and supporting the vulnerable.”
Trump made light of his recent struggles with attempts on his life and partisan lawfare.
“I guess I just don’t see the point of taking shots at myself when other people have been shooting at me for a hell of a long time,” Trump said. “These days, it’s really a pleasure anywhere in New York without a subpoena for my appearance.”
He still poked plenty of fun at Democrats, saying initial ballot returns are looking optimistic.
“Chuck Schumer is here looking very glum,” Trump said. “But look on the bright side. Considering how woke your party has become, if Kamala loses, you’ll still have a chance to become the first woman president.”
Trump didn’t forget to mention Harris.
“I really hoped that she would come, because I can’t get enough of her beautiful laugh. She laughs like crazy,” Trump said. “Instead of attending tonight, she’s in Michigan receiving communion from Gretchen Whitmer. That’s not a pretty sight.”
He joked about Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, having an affair with a nanny.
“A major issue in this race is childcare, and Kamala has put forward a concept of a plan. A lot of people don’t like it,” Trump said. “The only piece of advice I would have for her in the event she wins would be not to let husband Doug anywhere near the nannies.”
Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, didn’t escape scrutiny either.
“The reason that she’s not here is that she’s hunting with her running mate,” Trump said. “I used to think Democrats were crazy for saying that men have periods. Then I met Tim Walz.”
Trump joked about the group “White Dudes for Harris,” which attempts — and often fails — to pander to white men.
“There’s a group called ‘White Dudes for Harris,’” Trump said. “But I’m not worried about them at all because their wives and their wives’ lovers are all voting for me.”
Harris campaign spokesman Ammar Moussa apparently didn’t watch the same speech, claiming Trump “struggled to read scripted notes written by his handlers, repeatedly complaining that he couldn’t use a teleprompter … The rare moments he was off script, he went on long incomprehensible rambles, reminding Americans how unstable he’s become.”
Trump, who is struggling to read his handler-written jokes, complains about not being being allowed to use a teleprompter pic.twitter.com/Z5oAMEHAm4
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) October 18, 2024
Legacy media joined in on the effort to paint Trump’s performance as negatively as possible. “Trump Delivers Profanity, Below-The-Belt Digs At Catholic Charity Banquet,” reads a headline from The Washington Post.
The article claimed “the only person off limits for Trump’s roast was himself,” which is not exactly true considering he made light of lawfare and the assassination attempts against him.
The Associated Press called Trump’s speech “pointed and at times bitter,” and another headline from The Washington Post claimed “Trump lobs insults at Al Smith dinner, Harris campaigns in Wisconsin.”
“The last Democrat not to attend this event was Walter Mondale, and it did not go very well for him,” Trump said. “If Democrats really wanted to have someone not be with us this evening, they would have just sent Joe Biden.”
For more election news and updates, visit electionbriefing.com.
Logan Washburn is a staff writer covering election integrity. He graduated from Hillsdale College, served as Christopher Rufo’s editorial assistant, and has bylines in The Wall Street Journal, The Tennessean, and The Daily Caller. Logan is originally from Central Oregon but now lives in rural Michigan.
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