Conservatives and critics on social media trolled Vice President Kamala Harris over her pre-recorded video message that aired to the audience of the 79th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner Thursday evening after she did not attend the event in person.

“Kamala Harris releases her pre-recorded video for the Al Smith dinner in New York that she didn’t attend. Comedian Jim Gaffigan made fun of the vice president after the crowd gave a somber applause when it ended. Cringe,” Trending Politics co-owner Colin Rugg posted on X of Harris’ video.

The Al Smith Dinner is a bipartisan charity dinner that has become a political and cultural hallmark of election seasons, as nominees for both political parties have historically attended the event to trade with each other in a light-hearted manner.

Harris skipped the event — the first time a nominee has done so since failed Democratic nominee Walter Mondale in 1984 — and instead sent the dinner organizers a video to broadcast to the public. The video also featured comedian Molly Shannon as she reprized her “Saturday Night Live” character Mary Katherine Gallagher, a strong-willed Catholic student. Former President Donald Trump attended the event and was the keynote speaker.

HARRIS VIRTUAL ATTENDS CATHOLIC CHARITIES DINNER AT WHICH RIVER TRUMP HEADLINE

A video of US Vice President Kamala Harris plays on the screen as former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump with his wife Melania Trump, Archbishop of New York Timothy M. Dolan, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and many politicians attend the meeting. 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Hilton Midtown in New York, October 17, 2024. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) (Getty Images)

“I just want to say that I’m Catholic, and tonight is one of the biggest dinners besides the Last Supper,” Shannon, dressed as Mary Katherine Gallagher, told Harris in the video.

“It’s a very important dinner, and it’s an important tradition that I’m so proud to be a part of,” Harris replied, before Shannon displayed her character’s trademark strange behavior by putting her hands under her armpits and to smell it.

“Is there anything you think maybe I shouldn’t bring up tonight?” Harris asked.

“Well, don’t lie. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor,” Shannon replied.

‘Indeed. Especially your neighbor’s election results,” Harris said in a swipe at Trump.

COMEDIAN JIM GAFFIGAN TAKES SURPRISING SHOTS AT HARRIS FOR SKIPPING ‘CATHOLIC MET GALA’

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris speaks over a pre-recorded video message during the annual Alfred E. Smith Foundation Dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown on October 17, 2024 in New York City. Comedian Jim Gaffigan is the master of ceremonies at the 79th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner. The dinner, a white-tie charity event benefiting Catholic charities, is known for political figures making fun of each other. The foundation honors the late Alfred E. Smith, former governor of New York and America’s first Catholic presidential candidate. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Shannon’s character advised Harris not to “say anything negative about Catholics,” before asking her, “Does it bother you that that Trump guy insults you all the time?” Because it really bothers my friends and me.”

“Oh, Mary Katherine, it’s very important to always remember. You should never let anyone tell you who you are. Just tell him who you are,” Harris said.

Critics, including those from the Trump team, denounced the video on social media.

KAMALA HARRIS PLANS TO SKIP THE HISTORIC AL SMITH DINNER, DESPITE LONG-STANDING TRADITION

The dinner’s host, comedian Jim Gaffigan, even joked after the video was shown to the audience that he wasn’t sure if the attendees supported her video and message.

“I don’t even know what that noise you’re making is,” Gaffigan said. “Something like ahhhhh.”

“As I watched that, I couldn’t help but think: Now I know how my kids felt when… I Facetimed a piano recital in front of them,” he continued.

TRUMP APPRECIATES Catholic Group’s MULTI-MILLION ANTI-HARRIS CAMPAIGN, WHICH APPEALS TO CHURCH FAITH

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and comedian Jim Gaffigan attend the annual Alfred E. Smith Foundation Dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown on October 17, 2024 in New York City. Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, was the keynote speaker with Gaffigan as master of ceremonies at the 79th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner. The dinner, a white-tie charity event benefiting Catholic charities, is known for political figures making fun of each other. The foundation honors the late Alfred E. Smith, former governor of New York and America’s first Catholic presidential candidate. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Harris’ supporters praised the video on social media as a “must see,” while others praised her for skipping dinner.

Former President Donald Trump took shots at Harris during his remarks, including her absence from the historic dinner.

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attends the 79th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Hilton Midtown in New York, October 17, 2024, with his wife Melania Trump and Archbishop of New York Timothy M. Dolan (L) . (Photo by Timothy A. CLARY/AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) (Getty Images)

“If you really wanted Vice President Harris to accept your invitation, you should have told her the money would save the looters and rioters in Minneapolis, and then she would have been guaranteed here. She would have been guaranteed,” Trump jabbed at Harris and referenced her promotion of a bail fund during the 2020 riots.

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump raises his fist as he and his wife Melania Trump attend the 79th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Hilton Midtown in New York, October 17, 2024. (Photo by Timothy A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) (Getty Images)

“I have to say I was shocked when I heard Kamala was skipping the Al Smith dinner. I was really hoping you would come because we can’t get enough of hearing her beautiful laugh. She laughs like crazy” , Trump joked. at another point.

Harris concluded her video on a serious note, invoking the Gospel of Luke, among other things.

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“The Gospel of Luke tells us that faith has the power to shine a light on those who live in darkness, and to guide our feet into the path of peace. In the spirit of tonight’s dinner, let us recommit to bridging divisions, seeking In honor of the great Al Smith, let us fight to build a better future with faith in God, our country and in each other,” she said.

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