The Al Smith dinner in New York City is an annual event which raises millions of dollars for Catholic Charities and helps people around the New York area. It’s also a traditional place of political cease-fire where the two candidates for the White House crack a few jokes at their own expense and tease their opponent. But apparently Donald Trump didn’t get the memo which explained the protocol.
Trump started off pretty good, with a self-deprecating line or two and a joke at his wife Melania’s expense, but then he let loose with a remark he should have never uncorked. Here’s how the GOP nominee began his comments:
“A special hello to all of you in this room who have known and loved me for many, many years. It’s true. the politicians, they’ve had me to their homes, they’ve introduced me to their children, I’d become their best friends in many instances. They asked for my endorsement and always wanted my money. And even called me really a dear, dear friend. but then, suddenly, decided when I ran for president as a Republican that I’ve always been a no-good, rotten, disgusting scoundrel. And they totally forgot about me. But that’s okay.”
Not bad at all: Playful, lighthearted, in keeping with the spirit of the dinner. But then Trump made a segued into saying that Clinton “is tonight in public pretending not to hate Catholics.”
That reference to comments made in hacked emails released by Wikileaks (which may or not be real) by some Clinton staffers set off a round of loud booing and some guests also began calling for Cardinal Timothy Dolan to take the microphone from Trump. Listen closely and you hear a few people saying, “Cardinal! Cardinal!”
On social media, the reaction was even harsher:
What it looks like when a presidential candidate bombs at the #AlSmithDinner pic.twitter.com/lAlZ1Zr0mb
— Sarah Burris (@SarahBurris) October 21, 2016
Melania looks like she'd rather be ANYWHERE else in the world right now. #AlSmithDinner pic.twitter.com/gKVA7YDJZH
— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) October 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/owillis/status/789273676491390976
There's this truism that conservatives are not as funny, because there's too much anger in the jokes. Trump just proved it. #AlSmithDinner
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) October 21, 2016
Rudy enjoying Hillary's jokes at the #AlSmithDinner. pic.twitter.com/PqNVKKRFKl
— Frank Pallotta (@frankpallotta) October 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/SheWhoVotes/status/789273098700754944
He hasn't a gracious bone in his entire short-fingered hands. https://t.co/1kYa3Z5F6l
— John Nguyen (@jdnATL) October 21, 2016
You know your shit is bad when even avowed holy men won't give you a charitable pity laugh #AlSmithDinner #ByeOrangeFelicia https://t.co/9iA2M2E6Fn
— Tara Of Course You’re Single Libtard Dublin (@taradublinrocks) October 21, 2016
"Booed by a roomful of priests" is probably Radiohead's worst song tbh. https://t.co/wqrRi611Lf
— Here's why novelty names are problematic (1/256) (@BilgeEbiri) October 21, 2016
After the evening was over, Alfred E. Smith V, whose great grandfather was the first Catholic to ever win the nomination of a major American political party, said Trump did indeed go too far:
“The room did get a little uncomfortable, yeah.That line in a room full of predominantly Catholics, that didn’t go over very well.
“I think what we saw in the last debate a couple nights ago, we saw last night. You know, Donald had some very solid minutes early on and eventually he crossed the line and took it a little too far. Hillary, you know, on the other hand, was able to laugh at herself and at the same time not underplay any of the serious things that Donald Trump has said or done.”
But something good did come out of the evening: Over $6 million was raised for Catholic Charities.
Here’s every painful minute of Donnie’s monologue:
Featured Image Via Twitter
