US presidential election 2024: Kamala Harris skips Al Smith Dinner, sends ‘cringe’ video message instead

A video message that US Vice-President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris for a high-profile New York event has sparked outrage in some quarters with her critics calling the clip “cringe”.

Harris recorded the video message for the Al Smith Dinner, which has a legacy spanning 40 years. The dinner is a bipartisan event where presidential candidates from both parties traditionally attend to exchange humorous barbs. However, Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, chose not to attend this year, breaking a longstanding tradition.

Harris is the first nominee to skip the event since Democratic candidate Walter Mondale did so in 1984. Instead of attending in person, she sent a pre-recorded video message to the audience. Former President Donald Trump was present at the dinner as the featured speaker.

Conservatives and critics on social media criticised Vice President Kamala Harris for her “cringe” video message shown at the 79th Alfred E Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner on Thursday night on October 17. Her absence from the event drew attention, with many expressing disappointment.

“Kamala Harris releases her pre-recorded video for the Al Smith dinner in New York that she didn’t show up for. Comedian Jim Gaffigan made fun of the Vice President after the crowd gave a dismal applause once it ended. Cringe,” Colin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics, posted on X of Harris’s video.

The Al Smith Dinner is a charity event that brings together people from both political parties — Republicans and Democrats. It has become an important tradition during election seasons, where presidential candidates from each party usually attend to exchange friendly jokes and jabs with each other.

KAMALA HARRIS’S PRE-RECORDED VIDEO FOR AL SMITH DINNER

Harris’s video, which lasted around four minutes, featured comedian Molly Shannon portraying her well-known “Saturday Night Live” character, Mary Katherine Gallagher, a quirky Catholic schoolgirl.

“I just want to say that I’m Catholic, and tonight is one of the biggest dinners next to the Last Supper,” Shannon, dressed as Mary Katherine Gallagher, said in the video.

“It is a very important dinner, and it’s an important tradition that I’m so proud to be a part of,” Harris replied. Then Shannon acted like her character, putting her hands under her armpits and smelling them.

“Is there anything that you think that maybe I shouldn’t bring up tonight?” Harris asked.

“Well, don’t lie. Thou shall not bear false witness to thy neighbour,” Shannon responded.

“Indeed. Especially thy neighbour’s election results,” Harris replied, taking a dig at Trump.

Shannon’s character also advised Harris not to “say anything negative about Catholics” and then asked her, “Does it bother you that that Trump guy insults you all the time? Because it really bothers my friends and me.”

Harris responded, “Oh, Mary Katherine, it’s very important to always remember. You should never let anyone tell you who you are. You tell them who you are.”

The emcee of the dinner, comedian Jim Gaffigan, joked after the video was shown that he wasn’t sure if the audience liked her message.

“I don’t even know what that noise you’re making is,” Gaffigan said. “Something like ahhhhh.”

“As I watched that, I couldn’t help but think of: Now I know how my kids felt when… I FaceTimed into a piano recital they were at,” he added.

Supporters of Harris praised the video on social media as a “must watch,” while some appreciated her decision to skip the dinner.

Former President Donald Trump made fun of Harris during his speech, including her absence from the important dinner.

“If you really wanted Vice President Harris to accept your invitation, I guess you should have told her the funds were going to bail out the looters and rioters in Minneapolis, and she would have been here, guaranteed. She would have been guaranteed,” Trump said, referring to her promotion of a bail fund during the 2020 riots.

“I must say I was shocked when I heard that Kamala was skipping the Al Smith dinner. I’d really hoped that you would come because we can’t get enough of hearing her beautiful laugh. She laughs like crazy,” Trump joked at another point.

Harris concluded her video on a serious note, quoting the Gospel of Luke.

“The Gospel of Luke tells us that faith has the power to shine a light on those living in darkness, and to guide our feet in the path of peace. In the spirit of tonight’s dinner, let us recommit to reaching across divides, to seek understanding and common ground. And in honour of the great Al Smith, let us fight to build a better future with faith in God, our country, and in each other,” she said.