Harris Faces Criticism for Missing Al Smith Dinner, Trump Calls Her Out

Kamala Harris missed the Al Smith Dinner in New York City on Friday, October 17, breaking a long-standing tradition where presidential candidates poke fun at themselves and each other. Her absence came just two days after her interview on Fox News' ‘Special Report with Bret Baier’ aired.

Donald Trump quickly mocked Harris for not attending, with his team calling her a “coward” on social media.

The crowd wasn’t happy either. When it was announced that Harris would only join through a video message, the audience booed loudly. In the pre-recorded video, Harris briefly addressed the event.

Trump, who was there in person, criticized Harris for skipping the dinner, calling it disrespectful, especially to the Catholic community. He said, “Just found out that Lyin’ Kamala is doing a video message tonight instead of being at the Al Smith Dinner. She shouldn’t be allowed to do a video message. Kamala should be there like almost every other Presidential Candidate in their History, except Walter Mondale, who lost 49-1. They didn’t give me the option of a video message, nor would I have done it. This is very disrespectful to everyone involved. She should be here, or lose the Catholic Vote!”

Trump added, “My opponent feels like she does not have to be here, which is deeply disrespectful for the event and in particular for our great Catholic community. Very disrespectful.” He also mispronounced her name, something he’s done before.

The Al Smith Dinner is a charity event named after the first Catholic presidential candidate, where candidates usually roast each other in a light-hearted way. Interestingly, in 2016, Trump was the one being booed when his speech took a more serious tone, while Hillary Clinton attended that year.