Trump and Harris Trade Jabs at Charity Dinner—Here Are Four Memorable Moments
With less than three weeks before the U.S. presidential election, a charity event known for lighthearted banter turned into a more biting affair between candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
Traditionally, the Al Smith charity dinner, a fundraiser for women and children in need, has been a platform for presidential hopefuls to poke fun at themselves. But this year’s event was different, with the tone straying from playful to pointed.
Trump attended the event in person with his wife, Melania, while Harris sent in a pre-recorded video skit, choosing instead to focus on campaign duties elsewhere. The two candidates, locked in a tight race, found ways to exchange some of their most memorable gags and barbs of the night.
Here are four key moments from the event.
1) Trump Laughs at Himself—Sort of
While it’s tradition for candidates to make fun of themselves at the dinner, Trump took a slightly different approach. He joked that he didn’t need to roast himself, as he’s been under fire for a long time already.
“I don’t see why I’d take shots at myself when everyone else has been doing it for me,” Trump said, alluding to the two assassination attempts he survived during his campaign, including one in Pennsylvania where a bullet grazed his ear.
He also addressed his legal issues in New York, quipping, “It’s great to be back in New York—especially when I’m not here for a court subpoena.”
2) Trump on Biden and Harris—Who Does He Like?
Trump didn’t miss the chance to take a dig at his Democratic opponents, even offering some backhanded compliments. He admitted that he wasn’t a fan of Joe Biden, but now that Biden had dropped out of the race, Trump said, “I like him quite a bit.”
Regarding Harris, he hinted that he might like her too—if she loses. “I’ll like her if we win, but right now, not so much,” he quipped.
He also jabbed at Harris’s absence, joking that she might be out hunting with her running mate, Tim Walz, who’s known for his love of outdoor sports.
3) Harris Fires Back with the Ten Commandments
Though she wasn’t present in person, Harris sent a humorous video message, which featured her alongside comedian Molly Shannon. In the skit, Shannon’s character offered Harris advice on how to handle the dinner’s audience, including the commandment “Thou shalt not bear false witness.”
Harris seized the moment, using it to mock Trump’s actions after the 2020 election. “Especially thy neighbor’s election results,” she said, delivering a not-so-subtle jab at his attempts to contest the previous election’s outcome.
She also took a swipe at Trump’s recent comment about Detroit, saying it would be unwise to insult Catholics at a Catholic charity dinner—just like Trump’s criticism of Detroit in Detroit last week.
4) Host Takes a Shot at Biden’s Absence
Though Harris made her presence felt with her video, others at the dinner weren’t as kind to the Democrats. Host Jim Gaffigan humorously addressed Joe Biden’s absence, saying, “President Biden couldn’t make it tonight—the DNC made sure of that.”
Biden withdrew from the race in July after intense pressure from within his party, leaving Harris to carry the Democratic banner into the election.
The evening, which was intended to bring a moment of levity to the campaign trail, ended up highlighting the fierce competition between Trump and Harris as they near the finish line.
