WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump took advantage of his time at a Catholic charity dinner on Thursday to direct scorn at various figures, including the absent Vice President Kamala Harris and ex-New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio.

During the 79th annual Al Smith dinner, Trump received mixed reactions from the formal audience, revealing even he recognized one of his jokes as “nasty,” specifically about Harris’s husband Douglas Emhoff’s first marriage. Trump critiqued Harris on topics from her late candidacy announcement to her distinctive laughter.

“I never liked those I was up against,” Trump stated at one juncture.

The former president did not hold back when he labeled DeBlasio as New York’s “worst mayor.” When faced with audience disapproval, he quipped, “I don’t give a s—,” adding that “that’s not comedy – that’s reality.”

Harris, who opted to skip the Al Smith dinner to campaign in Wisconsin, delivered lighthearted criticisms of Trump in a pre-recorded video.

Trump’s antics mirrored his 2016 Al Smith dinner speech, where he frequently mocked his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Reflecting on that night, he mentioned he went “over the top” and his staff were unhappy with his remarks, but insisted, “I went ahead – I didn’t care.”

Confident in his electoral prospects, Trump turned to Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and joked: “Look on the bright side Chuck – with your party being so woke, if Kamala doesn’t win, you’ll have a shot at being the first female president.”

Facing a conviction in a hush money case earlier this year, Trump lamented the legal battles he is entangled in and expressed sympathy for New York Mayor Eric Adams, who has also been indicted, suggesting that both have been unfairly targeted.

“Mayor Adams: Wishing you the best,” Trump remarked. “They’re coming after you, Mayor.”

At one point, Trump mentioned he was going to share some humorous self-deprecating jokes but quickly claimed, “Nope – I’ve got nothing. there’s nothing to share.” Melania Trump, the former First Lady, was also in attendance at the event.

Trump alluded to the threats against him and investigations he faces, stating: “I don’t see the point in making fun of myself when others have been targeting me for a long time.”

Concluding a nearly half-hour address, Trump became serious, reflecting on whether to refrain from joking at the event, mentioning the numerous difficulties the country is currently encountering.

“There’s nothing amusing about the situation our nation finds itself in,” he commented.

Harris Responds in Video

The video from Harris had a blend of seriousness and humor. It featured comedian Molly Shannon, formerly of Saturday Night Live, portraying a young Catholic girl offering guidance to Harris regarding her speech to the Catholic audience.

In a light jest about honesty, Harris referenced “election results,” implying Trump’s continued disputes over the outcome of the 2020 election.

As she avoided negative comments towards Catholics, Harris quipped about Trump’s event in Michigan, saying, “That would be akin to critiquing Detroit while being in Detroit.”

Shannon’s character encouraged Harris by saying: “Don’t stress about mistakes – Catholics tend to be very forgiving.”

Harris also spoke about the charitable projects funded by the Al Smith dinner and highlighted its commitment to bipartisanship.

While Trump and Harris steered clear of mentioning the divisions plaguing the country, comedian Jim Gaffigan, who hosted the dinner, joked about the possible violence following a tightly contested election.

Gaffigan, who plays Tim Walz on SNL, added humorously, “With only 19 days until the election – we could very well see a civil war. And honestly, I’m a bit anxious. It’s my first Civil War, after all.”

He concluded with a joke about determining sides: “Have we figured out who’s in blue and who’s in gray?”

What is the Alfred Smith Dinner?

The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner is named after a New York governor known for his advocacy of progressive causes in the early 20th century and serves as a fundraiser for Catholic charities.

This dinner also represents a political throwback to a more collaborative political climate.

In previous presidential election cycles, the dinner has allowed candidates to lightly mock their opponents and themselves, similar to press dinners held in Washington, D.C.

Back in 2008, Democratic candidate Barack Obama and Republican candidate John McCain excelled in entertaining audiences, joking about their egos and the hurdles they faced during the financial crisis.

At that time, Obama humorously claimed, “Contrary to popular belief, I wasn’t born in a manger. I actually came from Krypton, sent here by my father Jor-el.”

Obama honored McCain’s remarkable military and political journey, stating, “Few individuals have served this nation with the same commitment, integrity, and excellence as Senator McCain.”

While addressing the audience, McCain, who was vying to replace the well-liked Republican President George W. Bush, made a lighthearted comment about Obama being comfortable with nicknames such as “The One.”

“Actually, he has a nickname for me too – George Bush,” McCain quipped.

McCain added regarding Obama, “I can’t wish my competitor luck, but I truly wish him the best.”

In 2016, Trump altered the style of rhetoric, blending relatively dull humor with sharp criticisms aimed at Clinton.

At one point, Trump asserted, “Hillary thinks it’s essential to mislead the public by presenting one policy publicly and a completely different policy behind closed doors,” prompting discontent from the audience in Clinton’s native New York.

Meanwhile, Clinton remarked at the 2016 Al Smith dinner, “It’s incredible that I’m up here after Donald. I didn’t think he would be receptive to a peaceful handover of power.”