Nov. 14, 2024 5:04 pm
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Donald Trump’s attendance at the prestigious Al Smith Dinner became a political opportunity after his rival, Kamala Harris, broke a 40-year tradition by not attending. The event, held in honor of Al Smith, the first Catholic U.S. presidential candidate, has historically seen both major-party candidates seated next to the archbishop of New York. This year, with Harris absent, Trump took the spotlight.

During the dinner, Trump aimed sharp humor at Harris and the Democratic Party. Before Trump even spoke, comedian Jim Gaffigan, who served as the master of ceremonies, addressed Harris’s absence. He alluded to “the elephant in the room” before directly pointing out the missing candidate. Gaffigan’s joke also played on Harris’s evasive response during a previous debate, where she avoided answering a question about the state of the economy, instead referring to her own middle-class background.

With the event full of wealthy attendees, Gaffigan kept the humor sharp, poking fun at the gathering’s opulence, while also asking former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to donate more. He further pointed out the significance of the Catholic vote, noting that Catholics make up 22% of the U.S. population—a key demographic in swing states. Harris’s absence, Gaffigan suggested, was a missed opportunity for her to connect with this influential voter base.

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Trump capitalized on the moment, calling on Catholics to support him. He reminded the audience of the controversies under the Biden-Harris administration, including the FBI’s surveillance of Catholics attending traditional Latin Masses—an action Trump framed as a violation of religious freedom. Trump also referenced the wave of church vandalism by radical leftist groups, emphasizing that such incidents escalated under Biden’s watch, while he had denounced them during his own presidency.

The evening took a satirical turn when Trump mentioned a recent incident involving Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who made remarks mocking the Eucharist. Trump quipped that Harris, having missed the dinner, would receive communion from Whitmer instead—provoking strong reactions from the crowd.

Trump, though not Catholic himself, emphasized his close ties to the faith. His wife is Catholic, as was his late sister, and he pointed out his growing closeness to Cardinal Dolan, the Archbishop of New York. Trump has recently highlighted his connection to Catholicism, particularly among Hispanic voters, mentioning his celebration of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and his public recitation of the St. Michael the Archangel prayer.

Despite some Catholic voters’ concerns about Trump’s flexible stance on issues like abortion and in vitro fertilization, his positions are seen as more pro-life than those of the Democratic Party. His contrasting approach, especially compared to Democrats who have been criticized for holding events promoting abortions and vasectomies, aligns him more closely with conservative Catholics. Trump’s decision to forgo self-deprecating humor, traditionally expected of speakers at the Al Smith Dinner, was another deliberate choice. He argued that, given the constant attacks against him, there was no need to add to the pile. He referenced two assassination attempts he survived, invoking God’s presence and mercy as his protection.

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Trump’s closing remarks, bolstered by applause from the audience, underscored his belief that he was winning over Catholic voters. While the crowd at the dinner may not represent his typical supporters, he assured them that his base was younger and more energized. Whether or not this momentum translates to the broader Catholic electorate remains to be seen, but Trump left the Al Smith Dinner having successfully framed himself as a defender of religious values in an increasingly polarized political landscape.

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