Kamala Harris took a humorous swipe at Donald Trump during a pre-recorded speech at the Al Smith charity dinner in New York City. The vice president, who was unable to attend the star-studded event in person due to campaigning commitments in Wisconsin, enlisted the help of Saturday Night Live icon Molly Shannon for a lighthearted skit.
In the video address, Shannon reprised her famous “Superstar” Catholic schoolgirl character, Mary Katherine Gallagher. Harris used the opportunity to mock Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election result and his remarks about Detroit being “a mess”. She sought Shannon’s character’s advice on what to say at the dinner, prompting witty exchanges between the two.
After the comedic skit, Harris transitioned to a more serious tone, emphasising the importance of setting aside partisanship and coming together for charitable causes, in line with the spirit of the Al Smith dinner. Meanwhile, Trump, who was present at the event, made jabs at Harris for her absence and made disparaging remarks about President Joe Biden’s intellect.
The glittering charity affair was attended by various prominent figures, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Despite the absence of some political adversaries like New York Attorney General Letitia James, Trump and his wife Melania were seen socialising with friends at the event.
Other notable attendees included New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Robert F Kennedy Jr, who were present despite their own legal controversies. Overall, the Al Smith dinner served as a platform for light-hearted banter, political jabs, and mingling among key figures from various spheres.