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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 28, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - airline safety, teleprompter gaffs, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 doom 'n' gloom cartoons about the mess we're in
Cartoons Artists take on long-term pessimism, dystopian fears, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Church of England's legacy of slavery
The Explainer Should the CofE offer financial redress for its involvement in the transatlantic slave trade?
By The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published