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WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump seized the stage at a Catholic charity event Thursday to launch attacks on various figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Trump's remarks at the 79th annual Al Smith dinner, a white-tie event, elicited groans and boos, particularly after what he admitted was a “nasty” joke about the divorce of Harris' husband, Douglas Emhoff. He criticized Harris on everything from her late entry into the presidential race to her distinctive laugh.
"I never liked people I was competing against," Trump remarked at one point.
He also targeted de Blasio, calling him the "worst mayor" in New York's history. In response to the audience's reaction, Trump bluntly stated, "I don't give a s---," adding, "That’s not comedy – that’s a fact."
Harris, who skipped the dinner to campaign in Wisconsin, delivered milder critiques of Trump in a brief video message.
Trump’s appearance drew comparisons to his 2016 Al Smith dinner speech, where he repeatedly attacked then-Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. He acknowledged going "overboard" during that speech, mentioning that aides were unhappy with his performance, but added, "I did it anyway – I didn’t give a damn."
Looking ahead to the upcoming election, Trump took a jab at Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., saying, "Look on the bright side, Chuck – with how woke your party’s become, if Kamala loses, you still have a chance to be the first woman president."
Trump, who was found liable by a New York jury in a hush-money case earlier this year, also addressed the multiple criminal indictments and investigations he's facing. He extended sympathy to recently indicted New York Mayor Eric Adams, suggesting they both were targets of government scrutiny.
"Mayor Adams: Good luck with everything," Trump said. "They went after you, mayor."
At one point, Trump claimed he would tell a few self-deprecating jokes, only to quip, "Nope – I’ve got nothing … there’s nothing to say." Former First Lady Melania Trump was also in attendance.
Referring to the assassination attempts and investigations he's faced, Trump concluded, "I just don’t see the point of taking shots at myself when others have been doing it for a long time."
Near the end of his nearly 30-minute speech, Trump struck a somber tone, saying he considered skipping the jokes entirely due to the serious challenges facing the country.
"There’s nothing funny about what’s happening to our country," he said.
Trump's speech, though laced with his trademark humor and jabs, reflected a deep frustration with the political and legal pressures he's currently facing. He repeatedly touched on his legal troubles, hinting at a larger narrative of personal persecution. He tied his own indictments to broader concerns about political weaponization, portraying himself as a victim of unfair targeting by the government, which he suggested is now happening to others like Mayor Eric Adams.
Throughout the evening, Trump maintained a confrontational tone, using the event as an opportunity to solidify his base by mocking his political adversaries and framing the legal actions against him as part of a broader political conspiracy. His comment about Harris and Schumer hinted at his disdain for what he described as the "woke" direction of the Democratic Party, using humor to underscore his critique of progressive politics.
Despite the formal setting of the Al Smith dinner, traditionally a light-hearted evening, Trump's remarks carried a sharper edge. Even when joking about self-deprecating humor, he used the moment to reinforce his point about being under siege, blending humor with grievance in a way that has become characteristic of his public appearances.
The speech's close signaled a shift in tone, as Trump moved from humor to a serious reflection on the state of the nation. He expressed deep concern over the direction in which the country is heading, touching on the economy, crime, and global instability, suggesting that these issues are no laughing matter. His final remarks seemed designed to appeal to the broader concerns of his supporters, positioning himself as a figure ready to fight against what he sees as existential threats to the U.S.
Ultimately, Trump's appearance at the Al Smith dinner offered a blend of humor, barbs, and serious political commentary, as he sought to connect with both the elite audience in the room and his wider base of supporters. Hi
s speech, a mix of light-hearted jokes and stark warnings about the future, captured his signature style—irreverent, confrontational, and unapologetic.
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