Kamala Harris plans to skip historic Al Smith dinner despite long-standing tradition: report
FOX NewsSep 21
Trump Speaks at Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner
Above: Republican presidential nominee, former US Pres. Donald Trump speaks during the annual Alfred E. Smith Foundation Dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown on Oct.17, 2024, in New York City. Image copyright: Michael M. Santiago/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Former US Pres. and 2024 Republican nominee Donald Trump spoke at the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner — which supports Catholic charities — in New York on Thursday night. Vice Pres. Kamala Harris became the first presidential candidate to miss the event since Walter Mondale in 1984.
Trump claimed that it was "weird" that the Democratic nominee was not attending the dinner, and said that he was "shocked" that Harris did not attend given that presidential candidates were meant to "exchange good-natured barbs."
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Trump's Al Smith speech was not in good taste. What was supposed to be an opportunity for presidential candidates to show a more lighthearted side within the midst of an electoral campaign was, as expected, overshadowed by Trump's jabs and ranting. Thursday night's dinner, unfortunately, allowed the GOP a further opportunity to normalize hate-filled rhetoric under the veil of comedy.
Republican narrative
Harris' Al Smith no-show reinforces the Vice President's image of an anti-religious candidate. Scared of being exposed as an ultra-progressive and avoiding the spotlight, it's no surprise that the Democratic nominee chooses not to attend any event that isn't fully within her team's editorial control. This raises major questions about Harris' leadership — how would she respond to a real crisis with a US adversary?