Trump Used the Al Smith Dinner to Insist Catholics Vote for Him

The former president made the most of his time alone at the annual charity dinner, with Kamala Harris choosing to skip the event.

Trump speaks at the 79th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner

Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

Flanked by members of the New York Archdiocese and the city’s political elite, Donald Trump used his keynote speech at the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner to lacerate Vice President Kamala Harris for skipping the event, turning her absence into a fresh plea for Catholic votes.

“They call me weird, they called JD weird, we’re very solid people,” Trump said. “It’s ‘weird’ that Harris isn’t here.”

“Catholics, you’ve gotta vote for me,” he told the crowd of wealthy New Yorkers. “Just remember. You better remember: I’m here, and she’s not. I could’ve done that too.”