At the Al Smith Dinner in New York City on October 17, Vice President Kamala Harris faced backlash for breaking with tradition by not attending the event. The absence of the Democratic presidential candidate was notable, as the dinner typically features candidates engaging in light-hearted banter and roasting one another.
Former President Donald Trump capitalized on Harris’s absence, mocking her in person and through his social media channels. The official Trump War Room account labeled her a “coward” for skipping the event.
When the crowd learned that Harris would join via video, they responded with loud boos. She later appeared in a pre-recorded message but opted for comedian Molly Shannon to revive her SNL character, Mary Katherine Gallagher, rather than directly addressing the audience.
Trump, who attended the dinner, criticized Harris for not being there. He stated, “Just found out that Lyin’ Kamala is doing a video message tonight instead of being at the Al Smith Dinner. She shouldn’t be allowed to do that. Kamala should be here like almost every other presidential candidate in history—except Walter Mondale, who lost 49-1. They didn’t give me the option of a video message, nor would I have done it. This is very disrespectful to everyone involved. She should be here, or lose the Catholic vote!”
During his speech, Trump reiterated his sentiments, saying, “My opponent feels like she does not have to be here, which is deeply disrespectful for the event and especially for our great Catholic community.” He also mispronounced her first name again, continuing a trend from past instances where he has claimed not to care about the correct pronunciation.
Ironically, Trump himself was booed at the same dinner in 2016 when he turned the event into a campaign-style speech, while then-candidate Hillary Clinton attended in good spirits.