Trump to Attend, Harris to Skip Annual Al Smith Dinner in New York

In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, political figures are making their appearances count. The annual Al Smith dinner in New York City, a major charity event, will be graced by the presence of former President Donald Trump, while Vice President Kamala Harris will be absent. This announcement has garnered attention, especially since this high-profile event often sees presidential candidates come together, regardless of party affiliation.

Trump to Attend, Harris Opts Out for Campaigning

The Al Smith dinner, scheduled for October 17, is an important event in the political calendar. It is organized by New York’s Catholic Charities and hosted by Cardinal Timothy Dolan. The dinner serves as a fundraiser and a moment of lighthearted speeches by major political figures. Traditionally, this dinner has been a space where candidates poke fun at themselves and each other in a friendly manner. For many years, it has been attended by presidential candidates, making it a place for bipartisan interaction.

Former President Donald Trump confirmed on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he will attend the dinner. Trump expressed his excitement, saying it would be an honor to be there and recalling the success of his previous attendance in 2016, where he shared the stage with then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Trump, who is a regular attendee of the event, also joined virtually in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Vice President Kamala Harris, however, will not be attending this year’s dinner. According to her campaign team, she will be busy campaigning in a battleground state on the same day. Harris’s team emphasized that her focus is on spending as much time as possible in key states ahead of the election, as these regions could be crucial to the outcome. A campaign official mentioned that while Harris is unable to attend this year, she has expressed interest in attending in the future, particularly if she is elected as president.

Trump's Response to Harris's Absence

As expected, Trump did not miss the opportunity to criticize Harris for her decision to skip the event. In his typical outspoken style, he questioned her relationship with the Catholic community, saying, “It’s sad, but not surprising, that Kamala has decided not to attend. I don’t know what she has against our Catholic friends, but it must be a lot.” He went on to accuse the current administration of persecuting Catholics, a claim that seems to be aimed at swaying Catholic voters ahead of the election.

Trump’s comments also seemed aimed at energizing his Catholic base, encouraging Catholics to reconsider their support for the Biden-Harris administration. His statement that “Catholics are literally being persecuted by this Administration” plays into his broader campaign messaging, which often focuses on presenting himself as a defender of religious freedom and traditional values.

A Historic Dinner with a Political Tradition

The Al Smith dinner has a long history and serves as a unique event where politicians take a break from the intense campaign season to share jokes and reflections. It was first held in 1945, in honor of Al Smith, the first Catholic to run for president as a major party candidate in 1928. Over the years, it has evolved into a significant event that brings together politicians, religious leaders, and public figures from both sides of the aisle.

One of the most memorable moments in the dinner’s history occurred in 2016 when Trump and Clinton appeared on stage together. The event, typically marked by light humor, turned more serious and even awkward at times due to the heated rivalry between the two candidates during that year’s election. Nonetheless, the dinner remains a symbol of the possibility for civility and humor in politics.

Biden's Catholic Connection and Harris's Outreach

Interestingly, President Joe Biden, the second Catholic president in U.S. history after John F. Kennedy, has had a closer connection to this event due to his faith. Though he will not attend this year, Biden has often highlighted his Catholic faith throughout his political career.

Despite not attending the dinner, Harris is making her own efforts to connect with the Catholic community. Her campaign recently held a “Catholics for Harris-Walz” national organizing call, which featured prominent figures like former Senator Joe Donnelly, who was the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. The event was an opportunity for Harris’s team to reach out to Catholic voters, emphasizing shared values and highlighting the administration's work in areas like social justice and healthcare.

Conclusion: A Key Event in a Pivotal Time

The Al Smith dinner this year comes at a time when the political atmosphere is increasingly polarized, with both major candidates seeking to secure their bases and appeal to key voter demographics. Trump's decision to attend shows his continued effort to connect with the Catholic community, while Harris’s absence, though understandable due to campaign priorities, opens her up to criticism.

As the 2024 election nears, events like the Al Smith dinner provide a momentary pause in the relentless pace of campaigning. However, as the exchange between Trump and Harris shows, even these moments can be used as platforms for political strategy. With Trump seizing the opportunity to attend and criticize his opponents, and Harris focusing on the battlegrounds, the race continues to heat up, with each candidate making calculated moves in this pivotal election season.