Donald Trump is furious over Kamala Harris' “very disrespectful” Al Smith dinner video message

Donald Trump was deeply unhappy with Kamala Harris' decision to send a video message to the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner in New York on Thursday evening instead of appearing in person as he did.

The vice president sent a pre-recorded skit to the Catholic charity event, where presidential candidates traditionally poke fun at themselves and each other and featured Molly Shannon acting out her Catholic schoolgirl character Saturday Night Live, Mary Katherine Gallagher. Trump, meanwhile, used his time to deliver his own profanity-laced prepared remarks, rehashing his pet grievances and attacks on his political enemies.

“I just found out that Lyin' Kamala is giving a video message tonight instead of being at the Al Smith Dinner,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Thursday evening. “She should not be allowed to give a video message. Kamala should be there like almost every other presidential candidate in their history except Walter Mondale, who lost 49-1.”

“They didn’t give me the option of a video message, and I wouldn’t have,” Trump added. “This is very disrespectful to everyone involved. She should be here, otherwise she will lose the Catholic voice!”

Trump also noted Harris' absence during his dinner speech.

“I have to say, I was shocked when I heard that Kamala skipped the Al Smith dinner,” Trump said. “I would really hope she comes because we can't get enough of hearing her beautiful laugh. She laughs like crazy. We would recognize it anywhere in this room.”

He continued: “All the polls suggest that I'm way ahead with the Catholic vote, which I should be.” Trump has previously insulted Catholics support Harris by claiming they should “get their head examined” – a statement he also uses against blacks, Hispanics, Jews and seniors who don't vote for him.

The Republican candidate said Harris is not giving up on winning support from Catholics. “Instead of being there tonight, she's in Michigan receiving communion from Gretchen Whitmer,” Trump joked. The gag referred to the state's Democratic governor, who apologized last week for a TikTok video — in which she fed a Dorito chip to a kneeling podcaster — that was criticized by Catholic groups as mocking the Eucharist.