Hillary Clinton pokes fun at Donald Trump — and herself — during Al Smith Dinner


No one was safe during Hillary Clinton's remarks at the Al Smith Dinner on Thursday night — she took shots at Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Rudy Giuliani, and even herself.
Clinton spoke after Trump, who was ultimately booed after making a joke about Clinton hating Catholics. She first made a self-deprecating jab, saying she took a break from her "rigorous nap schedule" to be there, adding, "it's a treat for all of you to be here because usually I charge a lot for speeches like this." She quickly changed gears and started going after Trump, saying she was amazed he gave up the microphone in a "peaceful transition of power," adding, "after listening to your speech, I will also enjoy listening to Mike Pence deny that you ever gave it." Clinton went on to announce that former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg was in the audience, quipping, "It's a shame he's not speaking tonight, I'm curious to hear what a billionaire has to say," and brought up the Statue of Liberty, saying that when Trump looks at her, "he sees a 4, maybe a 5 if she loses the torch and tablet and changes her hair."
While Trump laughed throughout her bit, one person remained stone-faced: Rudy "Chuckles" Giuliani. After dissing the Trump surrogate while saying the names of honorable guests in attendance, Clinton mentioned that "Rudy actually got his start as a prosecutor, going after wealthy New Yorkers who avoided paying taxes. But as the saying goes, 'If you can't beat 'em, go on Fox News and call 'em a genius.'" The smoke could almost be seen coming out of his ears. He wasn't the only Republican she slammed — before ending her speech with a call for tolerance, she got in one more dig: "Tonight, let's embrace the spirit of the evening. Let's come together, remember what unites us, and just rip on Ted Cruz." Watch the video below. Catherine Garcia
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Art Review: Hilma af Klint's What Stands Behind the Flowers
Feature Museum of Modern Art, New York City, through Sept. 27
-
Not just a number: how aging rates vary by country
The explainer Inequality is a key factor
-
'There will be a market incentive to build wind and solar anyway'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein
-
Fed chair Powell in Trump's firing line
Speed Read The president considers removing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
-
Trump trashes supporters over Epstein files
speed read The president lashed out on social media following criticism of his administration's Jeffrey Epstein investigation
-
Judge nixes wiping medical debt from credit checks
Speed Read Medical debt can now be included in credit reports
-
Grijalva wins Democratic special primary for Arizona
Speed Read She will go up against Republican nominee Daniel Butierez to fill the US House seat her father held until his death earlier this year