Trump Al Smith dinner/ Kamala Harris speech/ Trump jokes Al Smith charity event/ Trump critical of Democrats/ Trump Biden mental fitness/ Newslooks/ NEW YORK/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former President Donald Trump gave a sharp, sometimes bitter speech at the Al Smith charity dinner in New York, criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris for skipping the event and making pointed remarks about Democrats. The event, traditionally lighthearted, took on a more confrontational tone as Trump aimed at political rivals while maintaining some humor.
Trump’s Al Smith Speech Quick Looks
- Event Atmosphere: Trump’s speech, traditionally meant for humor, was pointed and at times bitter, with sharp jabs at Democrats.
- Criticism of Harris: Trump targeted Vice President Kamala Harris for skipping the dinner, calling her absence “disrespectful.”
- Biden and Harris Remarks: Trump questioned the mental fitness of both President Biden and Harris while delivering several one-liners.
- Melania’s Rare Appearance: Trump was joined by his wife, Melania, in one of her few campaign appearances.
- Mixed Reception: Trump received laughs but also shocked the audience with crude remarks and criticisms of political figures like former Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Trump Delivers Sharp, Bittersweet Speech at Al Smith Charity Dinner
Deep Look
At New York’s annual Al Smith charity dinner, traditionally a lighthearted event where presidential candidates trade jokes, Donald Trump’s remarks took a notably sharper and more bitter tone. The former president used his appearance to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris for skipping the event, mocking her absence while campaigning in Wisconsin. Harris, he said, was “deeply disrespectful” for not attending, despite a video she recorded that was played during the event.
“If you really wanted Vice President Harris to accept your invitation, I guess you should have told her the funds were going to bail out the looters and rioters in Minneapolis, and she would have been here, guaranteed,” Trump quipped, drawing laughter from some in the audience.
The Al Smith dinner, a longstanding tradition in U.S. politics, raises millions for Catholic charities and usually offers candidates the opportunity to show their lighter sides. But for Trump, his speech at the white-tie event in New York City often resembled one of his rally performances more than a typical charity appearance. Rather than sticking to jokes and self-deprecating humor, Trump used the platform to lob political attacks.
One of his more contentious moments came when he took a swipe at the mental fitness of both Harris and President Joe Biden. “If the Democrats really wanted to have someone not be with us this evening, they would have sent Joe Biden,” he said, referring to the president’s age and health in a jab that landed with mixed reactions from the audience. He continued, saying Biden “can barely talk, barely put together two coherent sentences.” Trump also said, “But enough about Kamala Harris,” drawing laughter despite the pointed tone.
Harris had her own moment in the spotlight, albeit in a prerecorded video, where she was joined by comedian Molly Shannon, reprising her famous “Saturday Night Live” character Mary Katherine Gallagher. Harris’s team explained her absence by noting that she was focused on campaigning in battleground states like Wisconsin, crucial for the upcoming election. She reportedly promised to attend future dinners as president if she wins the 2024 election. Harris also poked fun at Trump’s recent criticism of Detroit, a key voting bloc, saying it would be like “criticizing Detroit in Detroit.”
While Trump leaned into humor at certain points, he also veered into more biting remarks, especially when discussing figures like second gentleman Doug Emhoff, where he made a joke about Emhoff’s previous marriage. Trump also briefly abandoned his effort to make self-deprecating jokes, saying, “I just don’t see the point of taking shots at myself when other people have been shooting at me,” referencing surviving two assassination attempts this year.
Among those in attendance were New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has been a thorn in Trump’s side after bringing a successful civil fraud case against him and his business. Trump did not hold back in his speech, delivering stinging comments on various other politicians, including former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, who was repeatedly booed by the audience. Trump called de Blasio a “terrible mayor” before dropping a vulgarity at the religious-themed event, saying, “I don’t give a s—- if this is comedy or not.”
The event also featured other notable political and business figures, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a recent Trump endorser after dropping his Democratic primary bid, and current New York Mayor Eric Adams, who is facing legal troubles. Adams, recently charged with accepting illegal campaign contributions and gifts from Turkish officials, was a subject of Trump’s jabs as well. Trump jokingly compared Adams’s legal challenges to his own numerous legal battles, downplaying the gravity of Adams’s situation and predicting the mayor’s re-election.
One of the more biting moments came when comedian Jim Gaffigan, the evening’s emcee, referenced Trump’s past legal controversies involving discrimination against Black renters. “If Vice President Harris wins this election, a Black woman would occupy the White House, a former Trump residence. Obviously, you wouldn’t be renting to her,” Gaffigan quipped, referencing Trump’s controversial history.
While some of Trump’s jokes were received with laughter, the tone of his speech left a different impression from his previous appearances at the event. In 2016, Trump made headlines for his harsh comments directed at Hillary Clinton, in which he accused her of being “corrupt” and insincere about her views on Catholics. Reflecting on that moment during his latest speech, Trump admitted he “went overboard” in 2016 but stopped short of backing off his sharp rhetoric this time around.
Mary Callahan Erdoes, vice chair of the foundation hosting the dinner, referenced Trump’s prior performance when introducing him, noting that the audience would “hope for the best” as he took the stage. Trump acknowledged his 2016 appearance as controversial, but proceeded to deliver similarly stinging remarks, straying off-script throughout the night.
Trump’s rare mix of humor and sharp attacks has often been a hallmark of his public appearances, endearing him to his base while drawing criticism from his opponents. His supporters see this as part of his appeal, finding his brashness refreshing. Trump himself reflected on his public image during the dinner, remarking on his appearance, “What the hell can you do? There’s nothing I can do about it. We’re stuck with it,” in a self-deprecating comment about his hair.
The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, named for the former New York governor and the first Catholic presidential candidate, has become a tradition for candidates dating back to the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon campaign. The event serves as an opportunity for candidates to connect with religious leaders and voters alike, and Trump’s speech this year highlighted the divisiveness that has marked the 2024 campaign.
As Election Day approaches, Trump’s pointed remarks at the Al Smith dinner may not have lightened the political mood but showcased his signature style—sharp, confrontational, and unapologetically brash.
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