Comedian Jim Gaffigan hosted the 79th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner and took jabs at Vice President Kamala Harris for not attending the event in person but sending a pre-recorded video message instead. Gaffigan questioned why Harris, who could have potentially gained support from the Catholic and Jewish attendees in the room, chose not to attend. He also joked about the Democratic Party staging a “coup” against President Biden and installing Harris as a result. Harris’ absence from the event, which is a bipartisan charity dinner, irked New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, the host of the event, who emphasized the importance of bringing people together in a civil and patriotic manner.
Harris is the first presidential candidate in 40 years to not physically attend the event in person, apart from the 2020 virtual dinner during the pandemic. The campaign cited the Vice President’s need to focus on campaigning in Wisconsin as the reason for her absence. However, Archbishop Dolan expressed disappointment at Harris’ decision to skip the historic event, which aims to promote civility, patriotism, and humor rather than serve as a campaign stop or speech. He noted that the evening is meant to bring people together and was saddened that Harris chose not to participate. Despite attempts to reach out to the Harris campaign for comment, there was no response regarding the decision to send a video message instead of attending in person.
During the dinner, Harris recorded a video alongside comedian and actress Molly Shannon, where they engaged in a playful conversation about giving a speech at the event. Shannon, known for her portrayal of a Catholic student on “Saturday Night Live,” played the role of Mary Katherine Gallagher in the video. Harris made a jab at former President Trump, stating, “especially thy neighbor’s election results,” highlighting the political dynamics at play during the event. The Al Smith dinner, which has been held since 1946, has raised millions for charities supporting women and children, making it a significant political and cultural event during election seasons.
Gaffigan’s commentary at the event included jokes about Harris potentially not liking him and the Democratic Party’s actions in ousting President Biden from the presidential race. He humorously suggested that Harris’ dreams had come true as a result of the Democrats’ actions. The comedian also highlighted the potential impact of Catholics as a key demographic in battleground states, emphasizing the missed opportunity for Harris to connect with this audience. Despite the controversy surrounding Harris’ absence, the event continued with a mix of political humor and charity fundraising, as it has in previous years. The Al Smith dinner remains a notable tradition in American politics, celebrating both the Catholic faith and charitable causes supporting marginalized communities.
