At the Al Smith charity dinner in New York City, former President Donald Trump delivered a speech filled with jabs at his political rivals, including Vice President Kamala Harris and prominent Democrats. The event, which raises money for Catholic charities, saw Trump receive a mixed reaction, with some of his remarks drawing boos while others prompted applause and laughter.
The annual white-tie event, traditionally a break from the campaign trail for a night of humor, featured prominent New York Democrats such as Senator Chuck Schumer, Attorney General Letitia James, and Governor Kathy Hochul in attendance. However, Vice President Kamala Harris, a focal point of Trump's criticism, was absent, instead appearing via video link in a sketch with comedian Molly Shannon.
Trump, using the platform to mix humor with political barbs, took aim at Harris's absence, saying, "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." The remark was met with both cheers and groans from the audience.
The former president also took the opportunity to mock Harris's cognitive abilities while attacking President Joe Biden, a frequent target of his rhetoric. "If the Democrats really wanted to have someone not be with us this evening, they would have sent Joe Biden," Trump quipped, in a line that garnered applause from his supporters in the room.
One of the more controversial moments came when Trump made a joke referencing an extramarital affair involving Harris's husband, Doug Emhoff. "The only piece of advice I would have for [Harris] in the event that she wins is not to let her husband Doug anywhere near the nannies," Trump said, sparking a wave of groans from the audience. Aware of the reaction, Trump added, "That's a nasty one. I told these idiots that gave me this stuff, that's too tough."
In addition to his jabs at Harris, Trump made comments about Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and transgender Americans, stating, "I used to think the Democrats were crazy for saying that men had periods, but then I met Tim Walz." While some audience members laughed, others responded with silence, reflecting the divisive nature of the former president's humor.
Comedian Jim Gaffigan, the evening's emcee, also made pointed remarks about Trump, referencing the infamous Access Hollywood tape. "During the first and only debate, President Trump talked about migrants taking cats and eating them. If you're keeping track at home, this is the second time grabbing a kitty has been part of a campaign issue," Gaffigan said, prompting a mix of laughter and shocked reactions from the crowd. Trump, seated next to his wife Melania Trump, appeared unfazed by the remarks.
Harris's campaign responded to Trump's appearance, with Ammar Moussa, the rapid response director, releasing a statement calling Trump's performance "incomprehensible rambles." Moussa said, "Donald Trump struggled to read scripted notes written by his handlers, repeatedly complaining that he couldn't use a teleprompter."
Despite the night's intended focus on humor, Trump's speech, much like his 2016 appearance at the same event, included several pointed political attacks. His 2016 remarks had broken the traditional tone of lighthearted self-deprecation, resulting in boos from the audience. This year, Trump maintained his style, stating, "Tradition holds that I am supposed to tell a few self-deprecating jokes this evening. So here it goes. Nope. I've got nothing."
While some of Trump's comments were met with laughter, others fell flat. A joke about New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who is currently under investigation, received an awkward response. "Mayor Adams told me earlier that I needed to make this one very quick. The city has reserved this room for a large group of illegal aliens coming in from Texas," Trump said, alluding to the ongoing migrant crisis in the city.
