(DailyAnswer.org) – Former President Donald Trump expressed surprise on Friday that Vice President Kamala Harris skipped the 79th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner. He called it a “terrible” choice, saying he expected her to attend the event, which supports Catholic charities.
“I thought it was a great event, for the Catholic Church… good people and good causes,” Trump said during an interview on FOX & Friends. “Honestly, I thought she’d show up. Everyone was surprised.”
The Al Smith Dinner, first held in 1946, raises money for charities focused on helping women and children. Over the years, it has become an important event during election seasons, offering a rare chance for politicians to show humor and civility. Skipping the event raised eyebrows, especially since it’s traditionally attended by both parties’ candidates.
Trump took a jab at Harris during the dinner, joking about her absence. “I was shocked when I heard Kamala wasn’t coming. I really hoped to hear that famous laugh of hers,” Trump said with a smirk. “If you’d told her the money was going to bail out rioters, she’d have been here in no time,” he added, referring to Harris promoting a bail fund during the 2020 protests.
When asked by FOX’s Brian Kilmeade why Harris avoided the event, Trump didn’t hold back. “I think she’s not up for the job. I hate to say it, but we just can’t have that kind of leadership,” he remarked. “She’s not funny, and she’s a Marxist. America isn’t ready for that.”
The dinner is named after Al Smith, the first Catholic presidential candidate and a former New York governor. Traditionally, the event focuses on humor and unity rather than politics. New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who hosts the dinner, voiced his disappointment about Harris’ absence on his podcast. “It’s a shame,” Dolan said. “This night is about bringing people together, not campaigns.”
The event still saw many high-profile attendees, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Governor Kathy Hochul. But Trump made sure Harris’ absence didn’t go unnoticed, poking fun while keeping the spotlight on himself.
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