Vice President Kamala Harris's decision to skip the 79th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner elicited pointed remarks from comedian Jim Gaffigan.
The Vice President opted to send a video message instead of appearing in person at the prestigious charity event, which traditionally hosts presidential candidates, Fox News reported.
On the day of the event, Harris was actively campaigning in the crucial battleground state of Wisconsin, where she prioritized direct voter engagement. The dinner, celebrated for its longstanding tradition of fostering civility and unity through humor, counts Catholic voters among its key demographic participants.
During his stint as emcee, Jim Gaffigan did not shy away from critiquing Harris's absence with his typical blend of irony and satire. “I’m sorry. Why is Vice President Harris not here?” he mused in front of an audience comprising many New Yorkers of Catholic and Jewish faiths—groups traditionally seen as Democratic strongholds.
"I mean, in her defense, I mean, she did find time to appear on 'The View,' Howard Stern, Colbert and the long time staple of campaigning, the 'Call Her Daddy' podcast," teased Gaffigan. He humorously suggested that Harris's busy media schedule might reflect personal differences: "You know what I think it is? I think she doesn't like me."
Jim Gaffigan's ensuing comments reflected a sharp critique masked as humour. He remarked:
The Democrats have been telling us Trump, Trump's reelection is a threat to democracy. In fact, they were so concerned of this threat, they staged a coup. Ousted their democratically elected incumbent, and installed Kamala Harris. In other words, all her dreams have come true.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan, a leading figure in the Catholic community, voiced his disappointment in his podcast just days prior to the event. He stressed that the nature of the evening was not about giving campaign speeches but about bridging divides through shared laughter and goodwill.
The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, often humorously dubbed the "Catholic Met Gala," has been a significant charity event since 1946. Not only does it play a vital role in raising funds for charities focused on women and children, but it also serves as a political touchstone in American culture, historically attended by presidential candidates.
This year's slight by the Vice President represents only the second time since 1984 that a presidential candidate has not attended in person, barring the virtual adaptation in 2020 forced by the pandemic. While Vice President Harris communicated her desire to partake as President in future events, her prioritization of campaigning raised questions among attendees and organizers alike.
The video message that Harris sent featured a cameo by actress Molly Shannon, who reprised her "SNL" role as Mary Katherine Gallagher. In it, Harris and Shannon discussed the importance of honesty in electoral contexts, a nod towards recent political controversies surrounding election integrity.
Despite direct inquiries, Harris's campaign team remained silent on questions from Fox News Digital regarding the decision for the video message. This lack of response has fuelled further speculations and dialogues about the political calculations behind such decisions during election years.
The event, while centered on charity, has invariably intertwined with American political and cultural life, reinforcing the importance of presence and participation by national leaders. Harris's absence and the consequent commentary at the dinner underscore the multifaceted expectations and responsibilities that come with her office.
To conclude, while Vice President Kamala Harris chose to focus on campaign efforts in Wisconsin, her absence at the Alfred E. Smith Dinner did not go unnoticed, sparking a series of critical and humorous comments from comedian Jim Gaffigan and highlighting the event's role in fostering unity across political and religious spectra.
