The annual Al Smith charity dinner in New York City was headlined by former President Donald Trump, who had been jeered eight years ago for his pointed remarks targeting his 2016 opponent, Hillary Clinton. Vice President Kamala Harris did not attend in person, opting to stay on the campaign trail in battleground states. The white tie dinner raises millions of dollars for Catholic charities and traditionally allows candidates from both parties to trade light-hearted barbs in the final stretch of the election. Trump was accompanied by his wife Melania, who has been a rare presence on the campaign trail, and other notable attendees included New York Mayor Eric Adams, Mayor Kathy Hochul, and past mayors, as well as business leaders such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, actress Cheryl Hines.
Trump’s remarks at the dinner included admitting to going “overboard” in his 2016 attacks on Hillary Clinton and making jokes about second gentleman Doug Emhoff’s extramarital affair. He also targeted Mayor Eric Adams for his alleged campaign finance crimes and joked about assassination attempts against him. Vice President Harris appeared in a recorded video for the event, joking with comedian Molly Shannon and taking jabs at Trump’s previous comments. Comedian Jim Gaffigan emceed the sold-out dinner, making jokes at the expense of both parties throughout the evening.
Trump blasted Harris for not attending the dinner in person, accusing her of being anti-Catholic. The event marked the last time the two nominees share a stage before Election Day, which is a tradition dating back to 1960. Both Trump and President Biden spoke at a virtual version of the fundraiser in 2020, using their speeches to appeal to Catholic voters. The Al Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner is named for the former New York governor and has become a tradition for presidential candidates, drawing notable attendees and raising funds for Catholic charities.
The 2016 Al Smith dinner was marked by hostility between Trump and Clinton, with Trump making personal attacks on Clinton and receiving boos for his speech. Despite beginning on a less hostile tone, Trump’s remarks turned bitter as he criticized Clinton for her handling of private emails and praised the release of private information by WikiLeaks. Clinton offered her own share of personal digs, using humor to critique Trump’s views on immigrants. Trump’s sense of humor is often cited as appealing to supporters, and he has sometimes poked fun at himself during public appearances.
Overall, the Al Smith dinner in NYC provided a platform for political candidates to showcase their humor and comradery in the final stretch of the election season. Despite tensions between candidates and past controversies, the event continues to be a tradition that raises funds for charitable causes and allows for light-hearted banter among prominent political figures. The 2024 dinner was a notable gathering of key political figures and business leaders, with Trump headlining the event and delivering a mix of jokes, personal attacks, and political commentary.
