Former President Donald Trump did not hold back during his appearance at the Al Smith dinner, a prestigious annual fundraiser for Catholic charities, held in New York City on Thursday night. While the glitzy event is known for its lighthearted jabs and witty exchanges, Trump’s speech took a more biting tone, especially when addressing Vice President Kamala Harris.
Harris, who chose to campaign in Michigan rather than attend the event, became the primary target of Donald Trump’s remarks. Her absence was deemed “disrespectful” by Trump, who claimed that it insulted the Catholic community. “My opponent feels like she does not have to be here, which is disrespectful to the event and in particular to our great Catholic community – very disrespectful,” Trump said, referring to Harris’s decision to send a pre-taped video instead of attending in person.
Donald Trump’s Criticism of Harris and Historical References
Donald Trump wasted no time drawing parallels between Harris and former Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale, the last to skip the Al Smith dinner in an election year. He pointed out Mondale’s crushing defeat to Ronald Reagan in 1984, implying that Harris’s absence could spell similar trouble for the Democratic ticket in 2024. “The last Democrat not to attend this event was Walter Mondale, and it did not go very well for him,” Trump quipped.
His speech was peppered with similar jabs, often mixing humor with sharp critiques. Harris, who had sent a video featuring actress Molly Shannon reprising her Saturday Night Live role as a Catholic schoolgirl, received little applause from the room, according to attendees. Trump mocked the effort, suggesting that Democrats were distancing themselves from critical voting blocs, particularly Catholics. “Catholics, you’ve got to vote for me. You better remember I’m here, and she’s not,” Trump told the audience, emphasizing the importance of Catholic voters in key swing states.
Zingers Aimed at Tim Walz and Democratic Leadership
Aside from his pointed critique of Harris, Donald Trump also took aim at her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Trump mocked Walz’s National Guard service and a proposed Minnesota law to place feminine products in boys’ bathrooms, calling it part of the Democrats’ “crazy” agenda. “I used to think the Democrats were crazy for saying that men have periods, but then I met Tim Walz,” Trump said, to the laughter of many in the room.
The former president’s criticism extended to other prominent Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York Mayor Eric Adams. While his jabs at Schumer were laced with humor, Trump expressed some sympathy for Adams, likening his legal battles to his own indictments. “Mayor Adams: good luck with everything. They went after you,” Trump said, referencing Adams’ ongoing corruption scandal. Still, Trump managed to inject humor, joking about Adams’ vegan lifestyle and his connections with Turkey.
Self-Reflection on 2016 and Closing Remarks
Donald Trump also used the occasion to reflect on his 2016 appearance at the same event, where his sharp attacks on Hillary Clinton made headlines. He acknowledged that he may have gone too far back then and hinted that he was trying to strike a balance this time around. “That was too tough,” Trump admitted after making a crude joke about Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, and his past personal life. “That’s a nasty one,” he added, recognizing the need for more restraint.
Despite the jabs, Donald Trump concluded his speech on a high note, receiving both applause and some boos from the audience. The evening’s host, comedian Jim Gaffigan, chimed in with his own critique of Harris’s absence, noting the significance of Catholic voters in battleground states. As the event wrapped up, Trump’s remarks underscored his reliance on key voter demographics, particularly Catholics, as he continues his campaign for the 2024 presidential election.
