Jim Gaffigan Takes Aim at Kamala for Skipping Al Smith Dinner

Comedian Jim Gaffigan didn't hold back at the 79th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, roasting Vice President Kamala Harris for skipping the event a notable snub in a long-standing political tradition. As the Master of Ceremonies for the prestigious white-tie Catholic charity event, Gaffigan took playful shots at both Harris and former President Donald Trump in a room filled with political heavyweights.

Harris, who became the first presidential candidate in decades to skip the event, sent a pre-recorded message instead. Gaffigan jumped on the opportunity to mock her absence, poking fun at her decision to appear on various talk shows while skipping a high-profile event.

Key moments from Gaffigan’s roast:

• “This event has been referred to as the Catholic Met Gala,” Gaffigan said, before wondering why Harris wasn’t in attendance. “This is a room full of Catholics and Jews in New York City, this is a lay-up for the Democratic nominee.”

• He then quipped, “In her defense, she did find time to appear on The View, Howard Stern, Colbert and the longtime staple of campaigning, the ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast...”

Gaffigan also addressed Harris’ rise to prominence within the Democratic Party, turning the narrative about Trump being a “threat to democracy” on its head. “The Democrats have been telling us 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,” Gaffigan joked. “In other words, all her dreams have come true.”

His jabs didn’t stop with Harris. Gaffigan also riffed on the phenomenon of “secret Trump voters” individuals who claim they won’t vote for Trump but do so in private. “They’re called the ‘Biden family,’” he deadpanned, eliciting laughter from the crowd.

The absence of Harris from the dinner marks a significant departure from tradition, as both Trump and Biden attended virtually in 2020 due to the pandemic. Her decision to skip, while claiming she was focused on the campaign trail, has raised eyebrows, especially given the importance of Catholic voters in key battleground states.

Gaffigan’s sharp humor left no stone unturned, poking fun at the bizarre dynamics of the 2024 race and Harris' apparent reluctance to engage in long-standing traditions. Whether intentional or not, her absence has become yet another talking point in an already unpredictable election season.

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