(KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP)
Former President Donald Trump stirred controversy with his off-color and profanity-laced remarks during the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a traditional event where political leaders humorously trade barbs to raise money for Catholic charities. This year’s event, however, took an uncomfortable turn, with even some Republicans calling Trump’s speech a “hot, horrible mess.” report from The Hill.
While the dinner typically features light-hearted, self-deprecating jokes, Trump passed on the chance to poke fun at himself and instead took shots at Vice President Kamala Harris, her husband Doug Emhoff, and others. His remarks included transphobic jokes about Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and he insulted the intelligence of Harris and President Joe Biden.
Trump’s refusal to follow the event’s tradition of self-deprecating humor stood out. “Nope, I’ve got nothing – I’ve got nothing,” Trump said during his speech. “I guess I just do not see the point in taking shots at myself when other people have been shooting at me for a long time.”
The former president’s speech also featured an explicit use of profanity, unusual for the formal, white-tie event. At one point, he said, “I don’t give a s— if this is comedy or not,” drawing further concern from attendees.
Barbara Comstock, a former Republican representative from Virginia, appeared on CNN to express her disapproval of Trump’s behavior at the dinner. She also referenced a comedic video skit made by Vice President Kamala Harris in collaboration with Saturday Night Live comedian Molly Shannon, which was shown during the event. Shannon reprised her famous “Catholic schoolgirl” character from the show, and Comstock praised Harris for the humorous contribution.
“My husband teaches at a Catholic girls’ school, so way to go vice president for the Mary Katherine Gallagher video that she sent in last night to the Catholic dinner,” Comstock said. She further noted her husband’s reaction, saying, “He called me in the middle of that dinner last night about what a buffoon and what an ungodly, profanity-laced hot mess that dinner was.”
Comstock condemned Trump’s behavior, stating, “This was somebody who was just being horrendous at that dinner, swearing in front of priests – who does that?” She emphasized the need for the Republican Party to move on from Trump, declaring, “That is just a hot, horrible mess. We need to turn the page.”
Trump’s divisive speech at an event meant for charity and unity left many attendees, including members of his own party, questioning his approach and tone.
