Conservatives and critics on social media dragged Vice President Kamala Harris over her “cringe” pre-recorded video message that was broadcast to the audience of the 79th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner on Thursday evening after she skipped attending the event in-person.
“Kamala Harris releases her pre-recorded video for the Al Smith dinner in New York that she didn’t show up for. Comedian Jim Gaffigan made fun of the Vice President after the crowd gave a dismal applause once it ended. Cringe,” Trending Politics co-owner Colin Rugg posted on X of Harris’ video.
The Al Smith Dinner is a bipartisan charity dinner that has grown to become a political and cultural hallmark of election seasons, as the nominees for both political parties have historically attended the event to trade barbs with one another in a light-hearted manner.
Harris skipped the event – the first time a nominee has done so since failed Democratic nominee Walter Mondale in 1984 – and instead sent dinner organizers a video to broadcast to the audience. The video also featured comedian Molly Shannon as she reprised her “Saturday Night Live” character Mary Katherine Gallagher, a quirky Catholic student. Former President Donald Trump attended the event and was the featured speaker.
An video of US Vice President Kamala Harris is playing on screen as former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump with his wife Melania Trump, Archbishop of New York Timothy M. Dolan, Majority Leader of the US Senate Chuck Schumer and many politicians attend the 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Hilton Midtown in New York, October 17, 2024. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) (Getty Images)
“I just want to say that I’m Catholic, and tonight is one of the biggest dinners next to the Last Supper,” Shannon, dressed as Mary Katherine Gallagher, told Harris in the video.
“It is a very important dinner, and it’s an important tradition that I’m so proud to be a part of,” Harris responded, before Shannon delivered her character’s hallmark odd behavior of sticking her hands under her armpits and smelling them.
“Is there anything that you think that maybe I shouldn’t bring up tonight?” Harris asked.
“Well, don’t lie. Thou shall not bear false witness to thy neighbor,” Shannon responded.
“Indeed. Especially thy neighbor’s election results,” Harris said in a dig at Trump.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on a prerecorded video message during the annual Alfred E. Smith Foundation Dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown on October 17, 2024 in New York City. Comedian Jim Gaffigan is the Master of Ceremonies at the 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner. The dinner, a white-tie charity event that benefits Catholic charities, is known for political figures poking fun at one another. The foundation honors the late Alfred E. Smith, former governor of New York and America’s first Catholic presidential nominee. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Shannon’s character advised Harris to not “say anything negative about Catholics,” before asking her: “Does it bother you that that Trump guy insults you all the time? Because it really bothers my friends and me.”
“Oh, Mary Katherine, it’s very important to always remember. You should never let anyone tell you who you are. You tell them who you are,” Harris said.
Critics, including those on the Trump team, lambasted the video on social media.
The emcee of the dinner, comedian Jim Gaffigan, even quipped after the video was shown to the audience that he was unsure if attendees were supportive of her video and message.
“I don’t even know what that noise you’re making is,” Gaffigan said. “Something like ahhhhh.”
“As I watched that, I couldn’t help but think of: Now I know how my kids felt when … I FaceTimed into a piano recital they were at,” he continued.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: New York state Gov. Kathy Hochul and comedian Jim Gaffigan attend the annual Alfred E. Smith Foundation Dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown on October 17, 2024 in New York City. Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump was the featured speaker with Gaffigan as the Master of Ceremonies at the the 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner. The dinner, a white-tie charity event that benefits Catholic charities, is known for political figures poking fun at one another. The foundation honors the late Alfred E. Smith, former governor of New York and America’s first Catholic presidential nominee. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) (getty images)
Supporters of Harris lauded the video on social media as a “must watch,” while others commended her for skipping the dinner.
Former President Donald Trump took shots at Harris during his remarks, including her absence at the historic dinner.
Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump with his wife Melania Trump and Archbishop of New York Timothy M. Dolan (L) attend the 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Hilton Midtown in New York, October 17, 2024. (Photo by Timothy A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) (Getty Images)
“If you really wanted Vice President Harris to accept your invitation, I guess you should have told her the funds were going to bail out the looters and rioters in Minneapolis, and she would have been here, guaranteed. She would have been guaranteed,” Trump jabbed at Harris, citing her promotion of a bail fund during the riots of 2020.
Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump raises his fist as he and his wife Melania Trump attend the 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Hilton Midtown in New York, October 17, 2024. (Photo by Timothy A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) (Getty Images)
“I must say I was shocked when I heard that Kamala was skipping the Al Smith dinner. I’d really hoped that you would come, because we can’t get enough of hearing her beautiful laugh. She laughs like crazy,” Trump joked at another point.
Harris wrapped up her video on a serious note, including invoking the Gospel of Luke.