At the 79th annual Al Smith dinner, former President Donald Trump used his platform to attack Vice President Kamala Harris and former New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio, drawing groans from the audience. Despite his insults, he also expressed sympathy for the legal challenges he faces. In contrast, Harris responded to Trump in a humorous video that highlighted the dinner’s charitable work and commitment to bipartisanship. Comedian Jim Gaffigan also joked about the tense political climate before the election.
The Al Smith dinner is a fundraiser for Catholic charities that traditionally allows candidates to joke about themselves and their opponents in a bipartisan manner. Past dinners have featured memorable moments, such as Barack Obama and John McCain’s friendly banter in 2008. However, Trump departed from this tradition in 2016 by mixing jokes with pointed attacks on Hillary Clinton.
Overall, the 2021 Al Smith dinner featured a blend of humor, sharp criticism, and reflections on the state of the nation. Despite the divisive political climate, the event still emphasized the importance of coming together for charitable causes and maintaining a sense of humor during challenging times.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com