Donald Trump criticized Kamala Harris for missing Al Smith’s annual dinner, calling her absence “disrespectful” to Catholics.
The former president delivered the attacks in evening dress at a gathering of New York elites at the premier fundraising event for Catholic charities. The historic campaign event is the same forum where he lashed out at Hillary Clinton in 2016, and the former president admitted Thursday that he went too far with his insults eight years ago.
Trump’s speech was filled with one-liners that mocked a number of prominent attendees. However, much of the speech was dedicated to Harris, who had sent a pre-recorded video appearance from the White House that seemed to bomb the room.
“My opponent feels like he doesn’t have to be here, which is disrespectful to the event and particularly to our great Catholic community, very disrespectful,” Trump said.
“The last Democrat who didn’t attend this event was Walter Mondale and he didn’t do very well,” he said, pointing to Mondale’s crushing loss to Ronald Reagan in 1984.
Mondale is the latest Democratic presidential skipper in an election year ahead of Harris, who was campaigning in Michigan on Thursday and sent her apology.
Former President Donald Trump criticized Kamala Harris for skipping Al Smith’s annual dinner in New York while surrounded by the city’s elites.
He also attacked Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz: “This guy is calling us weird. But it’s strange that the Democratic nominee is not with us tonight,” Trump said.
“If the Democrats really wanted someone not to be with us tonight, they would have just sent Joe Biden,” he said.
Notable people in the crowd included Cardinal Timothy Michale Dolan, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, New York Mayor Eric Adams and state Attorney General Letitia James.
Trump even admitted that one of his jokes was too “nasty,” after referencing second gentleman Doug Emhoff’s affair with his children’s nanny during his first marriage.
“A big issue in this race is childcare, and Kamala has put forward a concept of a plan,” Trump said, in a rare self-deprecating tone, citing his own statement about a “concept of a plan.”
He then turned his attention to his rival’s wife. “The only advice I would give her if she wins would be to not let her husband Doug anywhere near the babysitters,” Trump said.
‘Just keep them away. That’s that nasty one. “That’s disgusting,” Trump said. “That’s too harsh,” he added.
That prompted Trump to comment that his own 2016 speech, in which he flaming Hillary Clinton, went too far. Clinton attended that event and gave a pretty standard speech.
Trump talked about his wife Melania’s book and urged Catholics to vote for him by running.
Trump joked about powerful political figures but harshly criticized his presidential rival Kamala Harris
“I ran against corrupt Hillary. And I did, and I thought it was a roast. Then they told me it’s a barbecue. And I had the baddest guy you’ve ever seen write things. And man, the room was angry.
‘I went too far, don’t you agree? I was terrible. Even my own side was angry with me. They said it’s too much. But I did it anyway,” Trump said with a laugh.
‘Catholics, you have to vote for me. You better remember that I’m here and she’s not. “I could have done that too,” Trump said.
Trump may have been upset, but his repeated references underscored the importance of influential Catholic voters across the country, but particularly in battleground states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, where Trump and Harris are locked in a tight race.
He received applause when he concluded, along with some audible boos.
Trump directed several jokes at Harris’ running mate Tim Walz, mocking his stumbles with his National Guard service and saying he was in China during Tienanmen Square.
Unfortunately, Governor Walz is not here. But don’t worry, he’ll say yes,” Trump said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Trump also criticized Walz for supporting a Minnesota law to put feminine products in children’s bathrooms.
“I used to think Democrats were crazy for saying men have periods, but then I met Tim Walz,” she said.
“I guess I don’t see the point in shooting myself when other people have been shooting me for a long time,” Trump said at one point.
As in other public comments, Trump expressed sympathy for New York City Mayor Eric Adams and found similarities with his own prosecution.
‘Mayor Adams: good luck with everything. They came after you,” Trump said while acknowledging notables.
‘I’d like to make fun of Eric a little, but I’m going to be nice. I just want to be nice because I know what it’s like to be persecuted by the Department of Justice for speaking out against open borders. We were persecuted,” Trump said, following Adams’ indictment on corruption charges and growing scandals in his circle.
Then Trump indulged in some fun. “But I have to say that I have never met a vegan person who liked Turkey so much,” referring to accusations of influence peddling involving the country.
“Chuck Schumer is here looking very sad,” Trump said, prompting the Senate majority leader to challenge him but smile and clench his fists.
But look on the bright side, Chuck. “Given how woke her party has become, if Kamala loses, she still has a chance to become the first female president,” Trump said, drawing laughter.
“I actually said, ‘Do you mind if I do that?’ he told the crowd. He said no, they have to do what they do. He’s a professional. He’s a professional,” Trump said of the powerful New Yorker who still prevail if Trump returns to the White House.