Just when we thought Donald Trump could not have put on a worse performance than he did during the third Presidential debate…
… the Republican nominee went ahead and made a complete fool of himself on Thursday at the Alfred E. Smith charity dinner.
First, a quick refresher: this event is a fundraiser meant to raise money for Catholic Charities.
Every four years, it is a chance for political rivals to give light-hearted, self-deprecating remarks. The gathering is most decidedly NOT an occasion to air grievances or hurl insults.
It never has been.
Until Trump showed up, that is.
Whereas Barack Obama joked years ago about his middle name and Mitt Romney quipped that he wore a tuxedo at all times, Trump used the dais to slam Hillary Clinton over and over and over again.
"This is the first time ever, ever, that Hillary is sitting down, speaking to major corporate leaders and not getting paid for it,” Trump said, receiving gasps and boos.
But that didn’t deter him, of course.
He claimed to think the boos were maybe meant for Clinton.
“Here she is tonight, in public, pretending not to hate Catholics,” Trump said, to even more audible disdain.
But he kept going!
“You’ll notice Hillary’s not laughing. That’s because she knows the jokes and all the jokes were given to her before the dinner by Donna Brazile.”
More boos swept through the audience. It was pretty amazing.
See for yourself:
Trump’s best joke of the night about Clinton?
“We have proven that we can actually be civil to each other. Hillary accidentally bumped into me, and she very civilly said ‘Pardon me,’” he said.
“And I very politely replied, ‘Let me talk to you about that after I get into office.’”
His best joke of the night overall?
“Michelle Obama gives a speech and everyone loves it, it’s fantastic. They think she’s absolutely great… My wife, Melania, gives the same exact speech and people get on her case and I don’t get it!"
See, there you go, Donald. That’s the sort of thing this event is for.
Moreover, Trump refrained from calling Clinton a nasty woman this time around. So that’s progress!
Clinton, meanwhile, stuck to the more traditional take on the Smith dinner.
She offered up light humor by expressing her gratitude that the Presidential debates were over, explaining that the experiences had to “count as a miracle.”
“I have now stood next to Donald more times than any of his campaign managers,” she joked.
“I have respect for Kellyanne Conway, she’s worked day and night and because she’s a contractor he’s probably not going to pay her.”
Even that was harsher than the type of remarks typically uttered by candidates at this dinner.
It’s almost as if Trump and Clinton really don’t like each other.
“People look at the Statue of Liberty and they see a proud symbol…a beacon of hope for people around the world,” Clinton said at another point.
“Donald looks at the Statue of Liberty and sees a four. Maybe a five if she loses the torch and tablet and changes her hair.”
HA! Sorry, we couldn’t help but laugh at that one.
You tell us, readers: Who are you voting for President of the United States?