With less than a month until Election Day, it seems Kamala Harris is doing everything in her power to give Donald Trump more ammunition. You’d think, with a critical election coming up, that Harris would try to win over key voting blocs—especially Catholics.
Instead, she decided to skip the Al Smith Dinner, a long-standing tradition in presidential politics that draws in religious and political leaders alike. Bad move, Kamala. Especially since it’s been a tradition that presidential candidates have honored for decades. Missing this dinner was like waving a white flag when it comes to courting Catholic voters.
But leave it to Donald Trump to take full advantage of Harris’s absence. At the dinner, Trump, in his usual comedic style, threw a zinger at Harris that not only highlighted her misstep but also connected it to one of the most bizarre incidents in recent political history. The man knows how to capitalize on a moment, and this one was no exception.
Why Skipping the Al Smith Dinner Was a Mistake
First, let’s talk about the Al Smith Dinner itself. For over 75 years, this gathering has been a must-attend event for presidential candidates. Hosted by the Archdiocese of New York, it’s a chance for candidates to show their lighthearted side while raising money for charity. The audience? Catholic leaders, influential business figures, and top political elites. In other words, the people who shape public opinion in a big way.
Skipping the dinner was a significant blunder on Kamala’s part. According to Trump, Catholics are already shifting toward his camp—and she just gave him another reason to claim the Catholic vote. Considering that Catholics make up a significant portion of the electorate, this was no small mistake.
It’s even worse when you consider the history: no major candidate since Walter Mondale in 1984 has dared to skip this event. And if you recall, Mondale went on to lose 49 out of 50 states to Ronald Reagan. So, yeah, not exactly the precedent Kamala should want to follow.
Trump’s Joke Lands Perfectly
So, what did Trump have to say about all this? Well, being the showman he is, Trump didn’t let Harris’s absence go unnoticed. In classic Trump fashion, he made sure to turn the whole thing into a hilarious roast.
From Breitbart:
Former President Donald Trump flamed Vice President Kamala Harris for snubbing the Al Smith Dinner in New York City on Thursday, joking that she is ‘receiving communion’ from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI).
Talk about hitting Harris where it hurts. Trump managed to remind the audience that he’s leading among Catholics while also taking a jab at Gretchen Whitmer, who’s been embroiled in her own controversy. And let’s not forget—Trump’s supporters eat this kind of thing up. They love it when he goes off-script and takes aim at Democrats in a way no other politician would dare.
But here’s where Trump’s joke gets even better. He didn’t just reference Harris’s absence—he tied it into Whitmer’s bizarre viral video from the previous week, where Whitmer, of all people, decided to engage in an extremely odd (and frankly, cringeworthy) stunt.
From Breitbart:
His joke is in reference to the bizarre and demeaning video Whitmer participated in last week, where she placed a Dorito chip on the tongue of an influencer who was kneeling before her. Whitmer then stared unblinkingly into the camera.
It was one of those moments where you wonder if anyone in the Democratic Party has an ounce of self-awareness left. The video received widespread criticism, particularly from Catholics, who saw it as mocking the sacred act of Holy Communion. So, naturally, Trump took the opportunity to blend these two stories into one epic roast.
Democrats Keep Offending Catholics
Let’s not overlook the larger issue here: the Democratic Party’s growing estrangement from religious voters, particularly Catholics. Harris’s decision to skip the Al Smith Dinner is just one more example of how out of touch she is with key voting blocs. Trump’s Catholic joke wasn’t just about getting a laugh—it was about highlighting a real problem for Harris in this election.
The fact that Trump is gaining traction with Catholic voters isn’t an accident. It’s the result of Democrats pushing further and further away from traditional values. Whether it’s on issues like abortion, religious liberty, or now this disrespect for religious customs, Democrats are alienating voters they desperately need. And Trump is right there to scoop them up.
With Election Day just around the corner, these kinds of gaffes aren’t just embarrassing—they’re politically damaging. Trump’s message at the Al Smith Dinner was clear: he’s in touch with religious voters, and Harris, along with her Democratic allies, couldn’t be more disconnected. Expect to hear a lot more about this in the days to come, as Trump and his team continue to capitalize on Harris’s absence and the Democrats’ alienation of key voting groups.
Key Takeaways:
- Kamala Harris skipped the Al Smith Dinner, a major event that no presidential candidate should ignore. It’s a major misstep in courting religious voters.
- Trump’s joke about Harris receiving communion from Whitmer not only pokes fun at Harris’s absence but also highlights Whitmer’s recent viral embarrassment.
- Between Harris and Whitmer, Democrats are doing a great job of offending religious voters—especially Catholics—right before the election.
Source: Breitbart