“Highlights from the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner: Trump and Harris Attempt Humor”

The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner took an unexpected turn as both former President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris attempted to inject humor into their speeches at the Catholic charity event on Thursday night. The results were mixed, with some jokes falling flat and others causing discomfort among the audience.

Mr. Trump, known for his brash and unfiltered style, stumbled through prepared remarks that included political jabs, personal attacks, and crude language. He seemed torn between being an insult comic and simply being insulting, leaving many in the room unsure of how to react.

Meanwhile, Vice President Harris, who was campaigning in Wisconsin, sent a recorded video in her place, appearing alongside actress Molly Shannon as her Catholic schoolgirl character Mary Katherine Gallagher. The absence of the vice president robbed the event of some of its energy, and both Mr. Trump and comedian Jim Gaffigan, the event’s master of ceremonies, took jabs at her for not attending.

Despite the awkward moments, there were a few standout moments from the event. Ms. Harris cleverly referenced the Ten Commandments in a joke about election results, while Mr. Trump made a bold appeal to Catholic voters by contrasting himself with his opponent.

Overall, the event showcased the challenges of injecting humor into a high-stakes political environment, with both candidates facing mixed reactions to their attempts at comedy.