NEW YORK — Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver a video address during the Al Smith charity dinner on Thursday evening, opting out of attending in person, which marks a departure from the usual customs observed by presidential candidates. The event’s organizers confirmed her decision. In contrast, former President Donald Trump is set to be present at the gala.
This prestigious white tie dinner generates millions for various Catholic charities and typically serves as a platform for presidential candidates from both major parties to exchange humorous jabs amid the climax of their campaigning efforts. Harris’ campaign has yet to respond to inquiries regarding her choice to skip the event. However, her team indicated that they wish for her to focus on campaigning in critical swing states rather than diverting to the heavily Democratic setting of New York.
The initial report of Harris addressing the dinner via video came from a media outlet. Both Trump and President Joe Biden, who identifies as Catholic, participated in a virtual format of the fundraiser in 2020 due to pandemic-related concerns about large gatherings.
Historically, the dinner has not been without its contentious moments, particularly in 2016 when Trump launched scathing remarks against his opponent, Hillary Clinton. His comments, calling her “corrupt” and accusing her of “pretending not to hate Catholics,” elicited a mixed reaction from the audience, resulting in boos.
The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner is named in honor of a former Governor of New York who, as the first Catholic to secure a major party presidential nomination, ran for office in 1928. This event has been a staple for presidential hopefuls since the joint appearance of Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy in 1960. Notably, in 1996, the Archdiocese of New York chose not to invite then-President Bill Clinton and his challenger Bob Dole, reportedly due to Clinton’s veto of a late-term abortion ban.
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