“Why Are We Normalizing a Madman?” Critics Slam Trump’s Al Smith Dinner Appearance
(Screengrab via CNN)
Former President Donald Trump’s appearance at the annual Al Smith dinner sparked widespread outrage among critics who felt the event served to normalize a “racist” convicted felon and adjudicated rapist. Right-wing social media accounts, meanwhile, celebrated Trump’s performance at the event, where he delivered a 30-minute speech, poking fun at political figures and downplaying recent controversies.
Trump’s speech at the prestigious charity event comes eight years after he faced jeers for targeting Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. This time, Trump took aim at various political figures but tried to soften his blows with jokes. He notably took a jab at New York City Mayor Eric Adams, referring to his recent indictment but offering a conciliatory remark: “You’re going to be okay.”
Trump also mocked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, joking that Schumer could become the “first woman president” if Vice President Kamala Harris were to lose. He tempered his comment by acknowledging Schumer as a “good guy.” Harris, who skipped the event, had submitted a pre-recorded video in her place.
While the evening was meant to be lighthearted, many critics were outraged, questioning why Trump’s appearance seemed like business as usual. Popular left-wing social media users quickly voiced their frustrations, accusing the event of normalizing a man they see as a threat to American democracy.
“This convicted felon, racist, rapist, business fraud motherf***er golfed while our loved ones died, incited an attack against our government, and promises to send OUR troops to arrest half the people in that damn room cuz he can,” wrote popular X user @JoJoFromJerz. “And they’re all acting as if this is normal? WTAF.”
She later lamented the shift in political concerns, writing, “Remember back in the olden days when we worried about how the election would turn out and not about how there might not ever be another election? Yeah, that was fun.”
Former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan also weighed in, reacting to a clip of Trump mentioning former President Barack Obama by his full name, Barack Hussein Obama. “He’s a racist and an Islamophobe,” Hasan wrote.
S.V. Dáte, senior White House correspondent for HuffPost, echoed similar sentiments, writing, “He is a convicted criminal who tried to end American democracy and an adjudicated sexual abuser (rapist). And he has just been insulting people so far.”
Trump’s sharp comments did not stop at political rivals. Dáte pointed out that Trump insulted former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, adding, “He said he didn’t ‘give a s—‘ if people didn’t like it.”
Justin Baragona, a media reporter, criticized Trump’s joke about Schumer becoming the first female president if Harris lost, tweeting, “The only thing missing here is Trump saying his pronouns are Kiss/My/A–.”
Other commentators took aim at those who participated in the event. @MaTTFLaMMaBLe, another popular left-wing account, criticized comedian Jim Gaffigan for emceeing the evening. “I’m a big @JimGaffigan fan, but sometimes a job just ain’t worth the money,” he wrote. “I’m sad that he helped normalize a wannabe fascist and genuine threat to American democracy tonight.”
The sentiment was echoed by Fred Wellman, host of the On Democracy Podcast, who called out the organizers of the dinner for hosting Trump. “What did you think he would do? There is the Archbishop of New York in frame with a rapist. Good call guys,” Wellman tweeted, adding that the event’s organizers were “blind” to the controversy that would follow.
“We’re living through an unprecedented era of political and media manipulation,” noted Luke Zaleski, legal affairs editor at Condé Nast. He reflected on the broader implications of Trump’s appearance, writing, “I’m watching social media rewriting itself and history and its own history simultaneously right now.”
Wellman concluded with a sharp rebuke of the event, stating, “Wake up to the time we live in. Your bygone era of yucking it up over tax policies is gone. This guy is a rapist, and they are all laughing at his racist bulls—.”
As the backlash continues, many critics argue that such appearances allow Trump to present himself as a normalized figure within political circles, despite the serious allegations and criminal convictions he faces.
