President Trump Says It’s ‘Sad But Not Surprising’ That Kamala Refused To Attend Catholic Charity Event

For nearly four decades, presidential candidates have attended the annual Al Smith charity dinner, a New York event named after the groundbreaking Catholic politician.

Kamala Harris, however, will be breaking with tradition and skipping the dinner. Her GOP rival, President Donald Trump, described her decision as par for the course.

According to Newsmax:

“It’s sad, but not surprising, that Kamala has decided not to attend,” Trump wrote in his post. “I don’t know what she has against our Catholic friends, but it must be a lot, because she certainly hasn’t been very nice to them; in fact, Catholics are literally being persecuted by this Administration. Any Catholic that votes for Comrade Kamala Harris should have their head examined.”

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who acts as host for the dinner, has been highly critical of Democrats, writing a 2018 Wall Street Journal editorial that carried the headline, “The Democrats Abandon Catholics.”

“It will be great to see so many wonderful people there, including Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan,” Trump wrote. “We know the Spirit of Al Smith, the first Catholic Nominee of a Major Party, and John F. Kennedy, the FIRST Catholic President, will be in the room with us that night.”

The news resulted in a flurry of social media responses:

Kamala Harris refuses to attend the historic Al Smith charity dinner before election, an event that the nominees from both parties always attend.

Candidates lightly roast each other at the event, something that Harris apparently can't withstand.

Here's Trump in 2016: pic.twitter.com/8qwPJit6xG

— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) September 21, 2024

Kamala Harris’ campaign just announced she is skipping the Al Smith Dinner — the fundraiser that every presidential nominee has attended since the 1960s.

She’s probably afraid that President Trump will roast the shit out of her just like he did to Hillary in 2016. pic.twitter.com/epylR69WtS

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 21, 2024

For those asking why Kamala Harris is ditching the Al Smith Dinner which is a tradition for Presidential candidates,
let's remember how it went for Hillary Clinton in 2016. pic.twitter.com/MRVcLcW1Fk

— The Constitutionalist 🇺🇸 (@WeWillBeFree24) September 21, 2024

Comrade Harris has decided not to attend the Al Smith Dinner in New York City, an event historically significant for its light-hearted jabs between political figures.

The dinner, known for its $5,000 per plate cost, aims to raise funds for charities linked to the Archdiocese of… pic.twitter.com/DxTi3g6aae

— Conservative 🇺🇸 (@ConservativeOG) September 21, 2024

The New York Post provided additional context surrounding Harris’ decision:

Archdiocese spokesperson Joseph Zwilling told The Post they learned that Harris would not be there on Saturday.

“We are disappointed that she will not be with us, as this is an evening of unity and putting aside political differences in support of a good cause of helping women and children in need regardless of race, creed, or background,” he said.

“We hope she reconsiders.”

Here’s some additional coverage of the story: