Al Smith Dinner with Trump In-person and Harris Via Video had a Jovial Atmosphere with Comedian Gaffigan - FULL VIDEO
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The 79th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner took place in New York City on October 17, 2024. (FULL LIVESTREAM at Bottom)
Comedian Jim Gaffigan served as master of ceremonies to approximately 1,000 guests, the audience included presidential candidate and former President Donald J. Trump, religious leaders, and some of the nation’s leading government and business figures. Vice-President Kamala Harris made a video appearance. Gaffigan addressed the nation's political disagreement. "I think we'd all agree that we live in divided times, and whoever is elected in November, I hope they establish an initiative to heal the divide that exists in this country," Gaffigan said. "And I have a great name for this. It could be called Project 2025." He joked about political figures of both parties and some of the better-known attendees.
The 2024 dinner, held October 17 at the New York Hilton Midtown Manhattan Hotel, the Indiana native was introduced by Mary Callahan Erdoes, vice chair of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation’s board of directors.
Former President Donald Trump delivered a sharp-tongued speech at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, aiming sarcastic remarks at Democrats, particularly Vice President Harris.
Named for New York Gov. Al Smith, the first Catholic to run as a major-party candidate for U.S. president, the dinner traditionally has brought together the two presidential candidates for a night of what the New York Archdiocese described as "nonpartisan" and "self-deprecatory" good humor, while raising millions for Catholic Charities of New York.
Harris' absence generated political debate regarding the wisdom of the decision, with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan suggesting that it would have ramifications among Catholic voters. Both the Trump and Harris campaigns have launched efforts to attract the Catholic vote.
This was the first time in nearly four decades that a major-party presidential candidate has not attended the major event. In 1984, Democratic nominee Walter Mondale skipped the dinner during his campaign against then-President Ronald Reagan.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Democratic nominee, instead appeared in a prerecorded video with comedian Molly Shannon, who reprised her "Saturday Night Live" role as geeky Catholic student Mary Katherine Gallagher.
In the playful skit, Shannon's character advised Harris to avoid lying, citing the commandment against bearing false witness. Shannon told the vice president that fact-checking would be done by Jesus.
The 2024 dinner, held October 17 at the New York Hilton Midtown Manhattan Hotel, the Indiana native was introduced by Mary Callahan Erdoes, vice chair of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation’s board of directors.
Former President Donald Trump delivered a sharp-tongued speech at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, aiming sarcastic remarks at Democrats, particularly Vice President Harris.
Named for New York Gov. Al Smith, the first Catholic to run as a major-party candidate for U.S. president, the dinner traditionally has brought together the two presidential candidates for a night of what the New York Archdiocese described as "nonpartisan" and "self-deprecatory" good humor, while raising millions for Catholic Charities of New York.
Harris' absence generated political debate regarding the wisdom of the decision, with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan suggesting that it would have ramifications among Catholic voters. Both the Trump and Harris campaigns have launched efforts to attract the Catholic vote.
This was the first time in nearly four decades that a major-party presidential candidate has not attended the major event. In 1984, Democratic nominee Walter Mondale skipped the dinner during his campaign against then-President Ronald Reagan.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Democratic nominee, instead appeared in a prerecorded video with comedian Molly Shannon, who reprised her "Saturday Night Live" role as geeky Catholic student Mary Katherine Gallagher.
In the playful skit, Shannon's character advised Harris to avoid lying, citing the commandment against bearing false witness. Shannon told the vice president that fact-checking would be done by Jesus.
"Indeed," Harris quipped, "especially thy neighbor's election results." The dialogue combined humor with religious references. She then seriously addressed the audience highlighting the church's work in providing education, health care, and disaster relief, and urged the audience to "recommit to reaching across divides" in pursuit of common ground.
In his monologue, Trump spoke of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris' running mate, saying, "This guy is calling us weird," - "but this was weird that the Democrat candidate is not here with us tonight."
Trump continued, "She's in Michigan receiving Communion from [Michigan Governor] Gretchen Whitmer," mocking Harris' efforts to rally support in a key battleground state.
About 1,500 guests from the business, political, social and religious areas — who paid $5,000 per table seat, as well as donations. The dinner raised more than $10 million, said Mary Erdoes, vice chair of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation and CEO of the asset and wealth management division of J.P. Morgan.
In her opening speech, Erdoes said while looking at Trump making the sign of the cross, "This is the third time the 45th president of the United States has been at the Al Smith dinner. And they say the third time is a charm, and so we're hoping it's a charm. And we're really hoping for that. You never disappoint. Your wit is absolutely fabulous, and all of us together are going to hope for the best."
In addition to former president Trump, former first lady Melania Trump and the prerecorded video of Vice President Kamala Harris, among those in attendance were House Speaker Mike Johnson, former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., New York Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and CEOs, presidents and board members of the largest American banks, investment funds and multinational companies.
Sources: The Good News Room - NCReporter - https://www.alsmithfoundation.org/dinner/
In his monologue, Trump spoke of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris' running mate, saying, "This guy is calling us weird," - "but this was weird that the Democrat candidate is not here with us tonight."
Trump continued, "She's in Michigan receiving Communion from [Michigan Governor] Gretchen Whitmer," mocking Harris' efforts to rally support in a key battleground state.
About 1,500 guests from the business, political, social and religious areas — who paid $5,000 per table seat, as well as donations. The dinner raised more than $10 million, said Mary Erdoes, vice chair of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation and CEO of the asset and wealth management division of J.P. Morgan.
In her opening speech, Erdoes said while looking at Trump making the sign of the cross, "This is the third time the 45th president of the United States has been at the Al Smith dinner. And they say the third time is a charm, and so we're hoping it's a charm. And we're really hoping for that. You never disappoint. Your wit is absolutely fabulous, and all of us together are going to hope for the best."
In addition to former president Trump, former first lady Melania Trump and the prerecorded video of Vice President Kamala Harris, among those in attendance were House Speaker Mike Johnson, former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., New York Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and CEOs, presidents and board members of the largest American banks, investment funds and multinational companies.
Sources: The Good News Room - NCReporter - https://www.alsmithfoundation.org/dinner/
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