Former President Donald Trump reflected on two assassination attempts during his speech at the 79th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York. He expressed gratitude for surviving the attempts and emphasized the importance of unity and achieving good for the country. The event, known for its humorous political speeches, raised nearly $10 million for charitable works by the New York Archdiocese.
Trump’s wife, former First Lady Melania Trump, made a rare public appearance at the dinner. The foundation’s vice chair praised Trump’s wit and welcomed him to the event. In his speech, Trump joked about being self-deprecating but ultimately decided against it due to enduring criticism throughout his career.
The Al Smith Dinner has been a long-standing tradition in American politics, providing a platform for opponents to engage in good-natured ribbing. Trump fondly recalled attending the dinner with his father as a child and has served as keynote speaker during his presidential campaigns.
Vice President Kamala Harris did not attend this year’s dinner but appeared through a pre-recorded video message. In her message, she called for less political discord and urged reaching across divides to find common ground.
Comedian Jim Gaffigan served as master of ceremonies and made jokes about both Trump and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who recently went hunting publicly. The event brought together people from various religions and political affiliations, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sitting near Trump at the dinner.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was previously an opponent of Trump, now supports him and may hold a health-related position if he wins reelection. Cardinal Timothy Dolan concluded the evening with a prayer expressing gratitude to all those involved in making the event possible.
The audience included CEOs, philanthropists, sports figures, media personalities, elected officials, and religious leaders who paid $5k per ticket to attend this prestigious gathering.