Staff Reports
The Al Smith Dinner in New York City transformed into yet another prime stage for the former President Donald Trump to unleash his unique brand of humor and political commentary. Although the dinner ostensibly aims to raise funds for charity, its true appeal lies in serving as a platform for candidates to deliver parting shots ahead of an election. And who better than Trump to take full advantage of the opportunity?
As Trump took the podium, it was almost guaranteed that his remarks would slice through the velvet smokescreen of political niceties. Among those in the crosshairs was none other than Bill de Blasio, the disgraced former mayor of New York City. Trump didn’t hold back, referring to de Blasio as “easily the worst [mayor] in our history,” a proclamation that had the room buzzing with laughter, albeit a laughter that felt more like nervous giggles from an audience grappling with the reality of his claims.
"I don’t give a shit if this is comedy or not… he was a terrible mayor…he did a horrible job.. that’s not comedy, that’s fact.”
– Donald Trump on Bill DeBlasio#AlSmithDinner pic.twitter.com/e1MihVBqpe
— Lucky (@TheMagaHulk) October 18, 2024
The former President’s critique of de Blasio was both pointed and irreverent. He laid it out plainly—de Blasio was not just a “terrible mayor” but notably ineffective, even if it meant relegating comedic fluff to the back burner. Trump’s no-nonsense approach resonated with those who have lived through de Blasio’s tenure, a period marked by rising crime and dubious policies. His mocking tone was a throwback, reminiscent of a roast that was less about the humor and more about delivering hard truths to an audience that probably wished for a soft landing.
Trump capitalized on de Blasio’s legacy of leniency towards criminal activity, comically suggesting that at least de Blasio didn’t need to worry about crime because the criminals “owe him big.” This jab wasn’t merely comedy; it was an indictment of de Blasio’s policy failures that residents of the Big Apple continue to suffer from long after he exited office. One only needs to recall the infamous decision to divert $1.5 billion from the NYPD in 2020 — an act that many view as setting a dangerous precedent during a spike in crime and unrest.
Though Trump did not revisit every tragedy of de Blasio’s administration, the ghost of draconian vaccine mandates still loomed large over the festivities. De Blasio’s tenure included issuing a state of emergency while his health czar was reportedly involved in questionable extracurricular activities, raising eyebrows and ire alike. If de Blasio was the ‘progressive’ darling of the moment, then the verdict is crystal clear: New Yorkers surely haven’t forgotten the myriad ways in which he betrayed their trust.
In the grand theatrical performance that is New York City politics, Trump’s roasting of de Blasio wasn’t just a comedic interlude but a rallying cry for the long-suffering residents who endured the consequences of his disastrous rule. Amidst the glitz of the dinner, the former President reminded everyone that laughter is sometimes the best medicine — particularly when it’s directed at someone who deserves every bit of derision coming their way. While attendees may have chuckled politely, deep down, they all felt the underlying truth: Bill de Blasio’s legacy will likely be remembered not for his vision but rather for the unprecedented failures that turned New York City into a cautionary tale for progressive governance gone awry.
