Staff Reports
Last night was a night for the ages in New York City at the illustrious Al Smith dinner, an event that combines Catholic charity with a generous helping of comedy—who knew being charitable could be so fun? This is a gathering where politicians traditionally roast themselves and their opponents, reminding everyone that they’re all in this ridiculous circus together. But it seems Vice President Kamala Harris must have been busy practicing deep breathing or maybe taking an online course in hiding because she completely skipped the event. In a commentary, comedian Jim Gaffigan humorously pointed out that the Vice President was nowhere to be seen at a dinner attended by Catholics and others, which could have been a golden opportunity for engagement. Instead, Harris opted for campaigning in battleground states, a decision that raised eyebrows given the tradition of presidential candidates attending this prestigious event.
It’s fascinating, really. While attendees like Chuck Schumer sat there tightly wound, Harris chose to prioritize campaigning over standing shoulder to shoulder with her opponent, former President Donald Trump. I mean, who could blame her? Who wants to face a room full of people who might laugh? The whole affair felt like a political game of peek-a-boo, except no one was laughing because we all knew where she was. Perhaps she was too concerned about setting a precedent of engaging in political banter—something Democrats have recently avoided, perhaps to prevent their platform from being further scrutinized.
Speaking of absurdity, Trump took the stage and did what he did best—delivering a performance with his signature humor. He made light of previous Catholic presidents and took jabs at “secret Trump voters.” In a moment of sharp satire, he quipped that this secretive group might as well be called the Biden family. Chuck Schumer even chuckled—a rare sight—which could indicate he realized Trump might be onto something. Perhaps the Democrats’ strategy of outward unity hides some inner discord.
Meanwhile, Harris did make an appearance—but not in person. She recorded a video message, which, while well-meaning, failed to captivate the audience in the way live interaction does. The audience’s reaction was muted, as they expected more from a night of comedy and personal engagement—elements increasingly absent from the Democrats’ approach, as they seem to focus more on online outreach than face-to-face interaction.
To cap off the evening, it was refreshing to see Trump embrace the ridiculousness of his life with humor, showing that even the largest political figures can find humor in their situations. Meanwhile, Harris, by avoiding the event entirely, left many wondering if her strategy is to sidestep engagement altogether. Ultimately, the night reminded everyone: while the left may aim for polished political finesse when it comes to comedy, Trump still reigns as the class clown of American politics.
