Former President Donald Trump delivered hit after hit Thursday night at the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner in Manhattan, a historic Catholic fundraiser where, in an election year, the candidates traditionally take advantage of the opportunity to roast and mock each other.
The “Met Gala for Catholics,” some have called it.
Vice President Kamala Harris notably dodged the dinner, instead phoning it in with a pre-recorded video message we’ve confirmed she scrambled to pull together at the last minute. And it was only mildly funny, for a very specific set of millennial voters.
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As for any self-deprecating jokes tonight, the 45th prez said he opted out of those, and with a good — albeit dark-humored — reason: "I'm not going to take shots at myself when other people have been shooting at me for a long time," he said near the end of his roughly 25-minute speech. A highlight from Trump tonight came as he waved away any concern about one pro-Harris demographic: "There’s a group called White Dudes for Harris — have you seen this?" Trump asked the crowd. "But I’m not worried about them at all because their wives and their wives’ lovers are all voting for me."Trump wraps hysterical Al Smith dinner speech with one dark joke
By Kaydi Pelletier 
Trump 'not worried' about White Dudes for Harris
By Kaydi Pelletier 
Donald Trump wasn't afraid to say Bill de Blasio was a "terrible mayor."
"I don't give a s--t," he added, as the crowd went wild.
Donald Trump joked that second gentleman Doug Emhoff shouldn't be "allowed near nannies."
The joke, in reference to him having an admitted affair with his children's nanny, made the crowd pause.
"That's a nasty one," the former POTUS acknowledged.
Donald Trump joked Kamala Harris skipped the Al Smith dinner because she's "receiving communion from Gretchen Whitmer."
The jab was in reference to the viral video of the Michigan governor feeding a Dorito to a social media influencer like she was giving her communion.
NEW YORK -- Donald Trump blasted Kamala Harris for skipping out on the Al Smith dinner.
Missing the event is "disrespectful to Catholics" he jabbed.
"Catholics you gotta vote for me," Trump added to the Catholic-filled room.
NEW YORK -- Donald Trump joked he was happy to be somewhere in New York City without being subpoenaed.
"It's great to be in New York without a subpoena for my appearance," he said — as AG Letitia James sat one row behind him.
NEW YORK -- Donald Trump wished Eric Adams "good luck with everything" in a jab at the first NYC mayor to be indicted while in office.
"I don't like what they did," Trump said, adding that he predicted Adams would be in legal trouble.
Kamala Harris' video for the Al Smith video got sparse laughter from the audience.
The crowd chuckled at the "Superstar" movie reference, but stayed mostly quiet throughout.
NEW YORK -- Comedian Jim Gaffigan joked about President Biden, earning roaring applause.
"President Biden couldn't be here tonight. The DNC made sure of that," he said at the Al Smith dinner.
He also said the Bidens are "secret Trump voters" -- in reference to Harris taking over his 2024 bid.
NEW YORK -- Donald Trump was spotted talking to Sen. Chuck Schumer as dinner wrapped up.
Schumer is seated one seat away from Trump, with only Cardinal Dolan between them.
He's not wrong.
"I'm sorry why is Vice President Harris not here?" Jim Gaffigan posited.
"It's a room full of Catholics and Jews... In fairness she had time for 'The View' and 'Call Her Daddy' podcast."
Jim Gaffigan: I'm sorry why is Vice President Harris not here??? ... It's a room full of Catholics and Jews... In fairness she had time for the View and Call Your Daddy podcast https://t.co/OvPgTbxg7j
— Heather Hunter (@heatherhunterdc) October 18, 2024
