Vice President Kamala Harris has reportedly chosen not to attend the historic Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York City, marking a significant departure from longstanding tradition just weeks before the upcoming November election. The Al Smith Dinner, a prestigious Catholic charity event, has long been a staple of American presidential campaigns, offering both major party candidates a platform for light-hearted humor, self-deprecation, and good-natured ribbing of their political opponents.
Set to take place on October 17, 2024, in Midtown Manhattan, the sold-out gala will host 1,500 guests in its grand ballroom. Despite the event’s historical importance and high-profile audience, Harris has opted to focus on her campaign efforts rather than attending, becoming the first presidential candidate in decades to miss the event voluntarily.
The Harris campaign told CNN that the Vice President is prioritizing time on the campaign trail over attending the fundraiser. This decision is a notable shift, as candidates from both parties have historically made appearances, often using the platform to demonstrate their ability to engage in witty, bipartisan banter while diffusing tensions with humor. In 2020, both Donald Trump and Joe Biden skipped the event due to the pandemic, though they did contribute video messages in lieu of physical attendance.
One of the event’s most memorable moments in recent years occurred in 2016, when then-candidate Trump took a more aggressive approach during his remarks, targeting Hillary Clinton with a series of barbs focused on her political career and alleged corruption. This performance pushed the boundaries of the traditionally lighthearted tone of the event, making headlines and sparking debate about the nature of political humor.
In place of attending the Al Smith Dinner, Harris has accepted an invitation to debate Trump on CNN on October 23. This decision comes despite Harris’ prior refusal of additional debate invitations, including a Fox News event in September, to which Trump had already agreed. Harris’ campaign emphasized the importance of further public debates, stating, “It would be unprecedented in modern history for there to be only one general election debate. Vice President Harris is ready for another opportunity to share the stage with Donald Trump.”
Trump, however, has criticized Harris’ late acceptance of CNN’s offer, stating at a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, that the timing is inappropriate given the proximity to the election and early voting already underway. “She’s done one debate, I’ve done two. It’s too late to do another,” Trump remarked, adding, “I would have loved to, but she rejected the earlier debates. Now, she wants to debate with CNN because she’s losing badly.”
Harris’ decision to skip the Al Smith Dinner and her renewed interest in debates reflects a campaign strategy focused on direct voter engagement rather than traditional political appearances. With only weeks to go until Election Day, both candidates are intensifying their outreach efforts in a race that is becoming increasingly contentious.
Trump agreed to several debates throughout September, including a Fox News event on September 4, which Harris declined, and an NBC News debate on September 25, which she never confirmed. Both candidates had participated in the September 10 debate aired on ABC News. As the election draws nearer, their decisions to engage—or not—on certain platforms may influence voter perceptions and momentum in the final stretch.