Vice President Kamala Harris skips Al Smith Dinner, breaks tradition, and is criticized by Trump.

Vice President Kamala Harris did not attend the Al Smith Dinner in New York on October 17, opting instead for a pre-recorded video message while campaigning in Wisconsin. This broke a longstanding tradition for presidential candidates. Former President Donald Trump, who attended in person, criticized her absence, calling it disrespectful, and made jokes during his speech. The event, benefiting Catholic charities, is typically a platform for light-hearted political banter.