Donald Trump attacked Kamala Harris for skipping the annual Al Smith dinner, calling her absence “disrespectful” to Catholics.
The former president carried out the attacks in evening dress during a gathering of New York elites at the major fundraiser for Catholic charities. The historic campaign feature is the same forum where he attacked Hillary Clinton in 2016, with the ex-president admitting eight years ago that he had gone too far with his insults.
Trump’s speech was packed with zingers, while many prominent attendees were affected. Much of the speech, however, was devoted to Harris, who submitted a pre-recorded video appearance from the White House that seemed to bombard the room.
“My opponent feels like she doesn’t need to be here, which is disrespectful to the event and especially to our great Catholic community – very disrespectful,” Trump said.
“The last Democrat not to attend this event was Walter Mondale and he didn’t do very well,” he said, pointing to Mondale’s big loss to Ronald Reagan in 1984.
Mondale is the latest Democratic presidential event to skip the event in an election year before Harris, who campaigned in Michigan on Thursday and expressed her regret.
Former President Donald Trump blasted Kamala Harris for skipping New York’s annual Al Smith dinner while surrounded by city elites
He also went after Harris’ running mate Tim Walz: “This guy calls us weird.” But it’s strange that the Democratic nominee is not with us tonight,” Trump said.
“If the Dems really wanted someone not to be with us tonight, they would have just sent Joe Biden,” he said.
Notable attendees included Timothy Cardinal Michale Dolan, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, New York Mayor Eric Adams and Secretary of State Letitia James.
Trump even admitted that one of his jokes was too “dirty” – after he referenced second gentleman Doug Emhoff’s affair with his children’s nanny during his first marriage.
“A major issue in this race is child care, and Kamala has put forward a concept of a plan,” Trump said, in a rare bit of self-deprecation, referring to his own “concept of a plan” statement.
He then turned his attention to his rival’s wife. “The only advice I would have for her if she wins is not to let husband Doug near the nannies,” Trump said.
‘Just keep them away. That’s the annoying one. That’s disgusting,” Trump said. “That’s too heavy,” he added.
That prompted Trump to note that his own 2016 speech in which he torched Hillary Clinton went too far. Clinton attended that event and gave a fairly standard speech.
Trump spoke about his wife Melania’s book and urged Catholics to vote for him if he showed up
Trump made fun of powerful political figures but castigated his presidential rival Kamala Harris
‘I ran against corrupt Hillary. And I did it, and I thought it was a roast. So I was told it’s a roast. And I had the meanest man you ever saw writing. And man, was the room angry.”
‘I went overboard, don’t you agree? I hated it. Even my own side was angry with me. They said it’s too much. But I did it anyway,” Trump said, chuckling.
‘Catholics, you must vote for me. You better remember that I’m here and they’re not. “I could have done that too,” Trump said.
Trump may have been miffed, but his repeated references underscored the importance of Catholic voters who hold sway nationwide, but especially in battleground states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, where Trump and Harris are locked in a tight race.
When he finished, he received a round of applause, along with some audible boos.
Trump made several jokes about Harris’ running mate Tim Walz — joking about his stumbles over his National Guard service and saying he was in China during Tienanmen Square.
“Unfortunately, Governor Walz himself is not here. But don’t worry, he’ll say he does,” Trump said, earning laughter from the crowd.
Trump also slammed Walz for supporting a Minnesota law that would put feminine products in boys’ bathrooms.
“I used to think Democrats were crazy for saying men have periods, but then I met Tim Walz,” he said.
“I guess I just don’t see the point in shooting at myself when other people have been shooting at me for a long time,” Trump said at one point.
As in other public comments, Trump was sympathetic to New York Mayor Eric Adams and drew similarities to his own prosecution.
“Mayor Adams: good luck with everything. They went after you,” Trump said as he recognized notables.
“I’d like to make fun of Eric a little, but I’ll be nice. I just want to be nice because I know what it’s like to be prosecuted by the DOJ for speaking out against open borders. We were persecuted,” Trump said, following Adams’ indictment over corruption charges and mounting scandals in his inner circle.
Then Trump allowed himself some fun. “But I have to say that I have never met anyone who is vegan and who liked Turkey so much,” referring to the influence spreading accusations around the country.
“Chuck Schumer is looking very somber here,” Trump said — prompting the Senate majority leader to challenge him but smile and raise a few fists.
“But look on the bright side, Chuck. Considering how woke your party has become, you still have a chance to become the first female president if Kamala loses,” Trump said with a laugh.
“I actually said, ‘Do you mind if I do that?’” he told the crowd. He said no, you have to do what you do. He’s a professional. He is a professional,” Trump said of the powerful New Yorker who will still hold sway when Trump returns to the White House.
