Proving allegations that she is afraid of unscripted appearances, Vice President Kamala Harris is refusing to attend the historic Al Smith charity dinner in New York City.
Harris has thus far avoided most unscripted events, and those that she did attend have been filled with gaffes and other uncomfortably awkward moments. These embarrassing appearances have led many to speculate that Harris will focus her entire campaign on the “basement strategy” — referring to President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign where he effectively hid from the press and the American people to prevent gaffes that could have hurt his candidacy.
.@MariaBartiromo on Kamala skipping the Al Smith dinner: It's in step with what she's been doing: skipping interviews, skipping press conferences.
She still has yet to articulate an actual policy plan, and that Oprah interview? Wow. I can't believe she gets away with it. pic.twitter.com/wXufcePhCJ
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 22, 2024
According to CNN, the Harris campaign has claimed that she would rather be on the campaign trail than attend the 79th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation charity dinner — which is named after the former New York governor nominated in 1928, who was the first Roman Catholic ever to be nominated to run for president by a major party. The event is scheduled for October 17 and is already sold out, with 1,500 guests expected to show up for the Midtown Manhattan ballroom gala event. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign has already confirmed that he will be attending the event.
Every year, the presidential nominees of each of the major political parties attend the Catholic fundraiser held by the Archdiocese of New York, where they engage in self-deprecating humor — something former President Donald Trump is well-known for — and some light roasting of their political opponent.
If Harris does not attend the event, she would be the first presidential candidate to skip it since failed presidential candidate Walter Mondale refused to attend in 1984. While Trump and Biden did not attend the event in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they did make video statements for the charity dinner.
Archdiocese of New York spokesperson Joseph Zwilling told The New York Post that they were “disappointed” with Harris’ decision.
“We are disappointed that she will not be with us, as this is an evening of unity and putting aside political differences in support of a good cause of helping women and children in need regardless of race, creed, or background,” he said, adding: “We hope she reconsiders.”
Watching Trump’s appearance at the event in 2016, it is clear why Harris is afraid to attend — as he hilariously roasted twice-failed Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for her lengthy history of political corruption. Many social media users have shared clips of that roast in response to the news that Harris declined to attend.
NEW: Kamala Harris announces she will skip the Al Smith Dinner in New York, the same event where Trump roasted Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer in 2016.
The Catholic fundraiser is expected to have 1500 guests in attendance.
As reported by CNN, Trump "stunned attendees" in… pic.twitter.com/KzYZ8wZJZL
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 21, 2024
“She’s probably afraid that President Trump will roast the sh—t out of her just like he did to Hillary in 2016,” conservative commentator Greg Price wrote in a post on X.
Kamala Harris’ campaign just announced she is skipping the Al Smith Dinner — the fundraiser that every presidential nominee has attended since the 1960s.
She’s probably afraid that President Trump will roast the shit out of her just like he did to Hillary in 2016. pic.twitter.com/epylR69WtS
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 21, 2024
Trump issued a statement about the event and Harris’ refusal to attend, explaining that it “will be an honor” to appear at the charity dinner, which he noted was “SOLD OUT.”
“It will be great to see so many wonderful people there, including Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan,” he continued. “We know the Spirit of Al Smith, the first Catholic Nominee of a Major Party, and John F. Kennedy, the FIRST Catholic President, will be in the room with us that night.”
Trump noted that the 2016 event was “HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL” and pointed out that he performed very well that day.
“It’s sad, but not surprising, that Kamala has decided not to attend. I don’t know what she has against our Catholic friends, but it must be a lot, because she certainly hasn’t been very nice to them, in fact, Catholics are literally being persecuted by this Administration,” he wrote. “Any Catholic that votes for Comrade Kamala Harris should have their head examined.”
He went on to highlight several instances of the Biden-Harris administration targeting Catholics, then concluded: “Regardless, I will see everyone on October 17th, and we will have a GREAT night for Catholic Charities. It’s sad that Kamala doesn’t care about these good works, but with her History of anti-Catholic actions, she would have a hard time anyway!”
Trump GOES OFF on Kamala for skipping the Al Smith dinner, which has been a tradition in presidential politics for decades.
“Regardless, I will see everyone on October 17th, and we will have a GREAT night for Catholic Charities.” pic.twitter.com/juHswTCDDM
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) September 23, 2024
