Conservatives and critics on social media have criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for not attending the 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Banquet in person, broadcast to an audience Thursday night. was dragged over an “offensive” pre-recorded video message.
“Kamala Harris released a pre-recorded video of the Al Smith dinner in New York, which she did not attend. After the crowd erupted in somber applause, comedian Jim Gaffigan mocked the vice president. “I'm angry,'' Trend Politics co-owner Colin Rugg posted on Harris' Mr.
The Al Smith Dinner is a bipartisan benefit dinner, and historically candidates from both parties have attended the event and casually exchanged words with each other, making it one of the most popular political and cultural events of the election season. It has become a characteristic feature.
Harris was the first candidate to skip an event since the defeat of Democratic candidate Walter Mondale in 1984, and instead sent the dinner host a video to play to the audience. The video also featured comedian Molly Shannon, reprising her Saturday Night Live character Mary Katherine Gallagher, an eccentric Catholic student. Former President Donald Trump attended the event and was a featured speaker.
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A video of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, former U.S. president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, his wife Melania Trump, New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, And he appears on the screen with many politicians. 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Hilton Midtown in New York, October 17, 2024 (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP, Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Shannon, dressed as Mary Catherine Gallagher, told Harris in the video: “I just want to say that I'm a Catholic. Tonight is one of the biggest dinners after the Last Supper.” spoke.
“This is a very important dinner, an important tradition, and I'm very proud to be a part of it,” Harris replied, before Shannon stuck her hand in her armpit and sniffed, a characteristic of her character. He displayed some strange behavior.
“Is there anything you think we shouldn't talk about tonight?” Harris asked.
“Well, don't lie. You're not supposed to give false testimony to your neighbor,” Shannon replied.
“For sure, especially with your neighbor's election results,” Harris said, harshly criticizing Trump.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris prefaces the Alfred E. Smith Foundation Annual Dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown on October 17, 2024 in New York City. He will give a lecture via video message recorded on . Comedian Jim Gaffigan will host the 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner. The dinner is a white-tie charity event that benefits Catholic Charities and is known for politicians teasing each other. The foundation honors the late Alfred E. Smith, former governor of New York and America's first Catholic presidential candidate. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
After advising Harris to “not say anything negative about Catholics,” Shannon's character says, “Doesn't it bother you that that Trump guy is always insulting you? 'Cause it's your friends and me. It's really annoying,” he asked.
“Oh, Mary Catherine, it's so important to always remember, never let anyone tell you who you are. Tell them who you are,” Harris said. I did.
Critics, including members of the Trump campaign, slammed the video on social media.
Kamala Harris plans to skip historic Al Smith dinner despite longstanding tradition
Comedian Jim Gaffigan, who hosted the dinner, even quipped that he wasn't sure if attendees supported her video and message after the video was shown to the audience.
“I don't even know what the noise you're making is,” Gaffigan said. Like, ahhh.
“As I watched it, I couldn’t help but think, “Now I know how I felt when my kids were attending a piano recital and I FaceTimed them.” he continued.
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 17: New York Governor Kathy Hochul and comedian Jim Gaffigan attend the annual Alfred E. Attend the Smith Foundation Dinner. Former Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was a featured speaker at the 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Banquet, with Gaffigan serving as host. The dinner is a white-tie charity event that benefits Catholic Charities and is known for politicians teasing each other. The foundation honors the late Alfred E. Smith, former governor of New York and America's first Catholic presidential candidate. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Harris' supporters praised the video on social media, calling it a “must-see,” while others praised her for skipping the dinner.
Former President Donald Trump shot at Harris during her remarks, including her absence from the historic dinner.
Former U.S. president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Hilton Midtown in New York on October 17, 2024. , New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan (left). (Photo by: Timothy A. CLARY/AFP) (Photo by: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP, Getty Images) (Getty Images)
“If you really wanted Vice President Harris to accept your invitation, I think you should have told her that the money was going to help out the looters and rioters in Minneapolis. That way she would have been guaranteed to come here. She would have been guaranteed.'' President Trump slammed Harris, citing her push for a bail fund during the 2020 riots.
Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his wife raise their fists as they attend the 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner held at the Hilton Midtown in New York on October 17, 2024. Melania Trump. (Photo by Timothy A. CLARY/AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) (Getty Images)
“I have to say I was shocked when I heard that Kamala would be absent from Al Smith's dinner. I would have loved to have her come, because I'll never get tired of hearing her beautiful laugh. laughs like crazy,” Trump joked. At another point.
Harris ended the video on a serious note, quoting from the Gospel of Luke.
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“The Gospel of Luke teaches us that faith has the power to shine a light on those who live in darkness and guide our steps to the path of peace. Let us recommit ourselves to reach out and seek peace, and in honor of the great Al Smith, with faith in God, our country, and each other, let us fight to build a better future. “Sho,” she said.
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