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Comedian Jim Gaffigan takes surprising shots at Harris for skipping ‘Catholic Met Gala’

Comedian Jim Gaffigan takes surprising shots at Harris for skipping ‘Catholic Met Gala’

Comedian Jim Gaffigan took surprising digs at Vice President Kamala Harris for skipping the 79th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner on Thursday, instead opting to send a pre-recorded video message to be shown at the bipartisan and light-hearted Catholic charity event.  “You know, this event has been referred to as the Catholic Met Gala. Twenty-two percent of Americans identify as Catholic. Catholics will be a key demographic in every battleground state,” Gaffigan, the emcee of the charity dinner, said Thursday.  “I’m sorry. Why is Vice President Harris not here?” he continued, with some of the audience jeering. “I mean, consider this. This is a room full of Catholics and Jews in New York City. This is a layup for the Democratic nominee. I mean, in her defense, I mean, she did find time to appear on “The View,” Howard Stern, Colbert and the long time staple of campaigning, the “Call Her Daddy” podcast. You know what I think it is? I think she doesn’t like me.”  In another jab at Harris and the Democratic Party, the comedian joked about the political “coup” against President Biden over the summer, when the 46th president dropped out of the presidential race amid mounting calls from members of his own party to exit the race amid concerns over his mental acuity.  TRUMP SPEAKS AT ANNUAL AL SMITH DINNER, HARRIS SENDS PRE-RECORDED VID “The Democrats have been telling us Trump, Trump’s reelection is a threat to democracy. In fact, they were so concerned of this threat, they staged a coup. Ousted their democratically elected incumbent, and installed Kamala Harris,” Gaffigan said.  “In other words, all her dreams have come true.”  HARRIS TO VIRTUALLY ATTEND CATHOLIC CHARITY DINNER THAT RIVAL TRUMP IS HEADLINING Harris is the first presidential candidate in 40 years, outside of 2020’s virtual dinner during the pandemic, to not physically attend the Catholic charity event. Failed Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale in 1984 was the last nominee to skip the event.  Harris’ snub of the historic Catholic charity event irked New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, the host of the dinner, on his podcast this week.  “This year will be imbalanced because sadly, Kamala Harris isn’t coming,” Dolan said on his podcast Tuesday. “It’s a shame because the nature of the evening is to bring people together. The nature of the evening is civility, patriotism, humor. It’s not a campaign speech. It’s not a campaign stop.” Fox News Digital reached out to the Harris campaign for comment on sending a pre-recorded video message for the event, but did not receive a reply. The campaign previously told Fox News that Harris was skipping the event to focus on campaigning in the battleground state of Wisconsin on Thursday.  KAMALA HARRIS PLANS TO SKIP HISTORIC AL SMITH DINNER DESPITE LONG-STANDING TRADITION “The Vice President is going to be campaigning in a battleground state that day, and the campaign wants to maximize her time in the battlegrounds this close to the election. Her team also told the organizers that she would very much like to attend their event as President. This would make her one of the first sitting Presidents to attend,” the campaign said.  Harris recorded a video that was aired during the dinner, in which she was joined by comedian and actress Molly Shannon. During Shannon’s days as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live,” she played a Catholic student named Mary Katherine Gallgher, a role she reprised for the video.  TRUMP APPLAUDS CATHOLIC GROUP’S MULTI-MILLION ANTI-HARRIS CAMPAIGN APPEALING TO CHURCH FAITHFUL “So tell me something, I’m giving a speech. Do you have some thoughts about what I might say tonight?” Harris asked Shannon.  “Don’t lie. Thou shall not bear false witness to thy neighbor,” Shannon responded.  “Indeed, especially thy neighbor’s election results,” Harris said in a jab at Trump.  The Al Smith dinner was launched in 1946, and has raised millions of dollars for charities supporting women and children. It has since grown to become a political and cultural hallmark of election seasons. The dinner is named after the first Catholic presidential candidate, Al Smith, who served as the 42nd governor of New York. He ran for president as a Democrat in 1928.  Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Walz says 90-year-old mom lives off social security check during North Carolina rally

Walz says 90-year-old mom lives off social security check during North Carolina rally

On the first day of early voting in North Carolina, Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz hit the campaign trail in Durham on Thursday evening, making a personal revelation about his mother. During his campaign rally, Walz said that his mother has to wait for her social security check every month to feed herself. According to Forbes, Walz has an estimated net worth of over $1 million. Walz has spent the better part of his career in the public service sector. He was a former public school teacher and Army National Guardsman who served six terms in Congress before becoming the governor of Minnesota in 2019.  TRUMP-VANCE TICKET HAS DONE COMBINED 81 INTERVIEWS SINCE AUGUST COMPARED TO 44 FOR HARRIS-WALZ “We are all products of our past. When you grow up a middle-class kid in Oakland or in Butte, Nebraska, you care about Social Security,” Walz said. Walz continued, claiming Donald Trump and all his “rich friends” don’t care or even worry about Social Security.  “When my mom looks for that Social Security deposit to be made in her bank account, that’s how she’s going to feed herself. That’s how she’s going to get things done. He [Trump] doesn’t give a damn if his Social Security check comes or not,” Walz claimed.  ‘MAN ENOUGH’ VIDEO SUPPORTING HARRIS MOCKED AS ‘THE CRINGIEST POLITICAL AD EVER CREATED’ Walz also touted that a hundred million Americans under Kamala Harris as president would see a tax cut, adding that he passed the largest tax cut in Minnesota history, not for the rich, but for the middle class.  “The one thing we understand about this is the economy works best when it’s fair, and it’s focused on the middle class,” Walz said.  Walz, who was joined by former President Bill Clinton, has another campaign event in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This is his third campaign visit to the Tar Heel state as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. TIM WALZ BACKPEDALS STATEMENT THAT THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE ‘NEEDS TO GO’ After doing just one joint interview in the first three weeks of her campaign, Harris and Walz have stepped up their media appearances in recent weeks to more match those of their Republican counterparts. Walz joined “Fox News Sunday” for the second straight week on Sunday, Oct. 13, and he also did interviews last week with Jimmy Kimmel and the “Smartless” podcast. He’s also spoken to Pennsylvania and Arizona news stations in the past week, in addition to an extended interview on ABC News. Walz spoke with Georgia, Wisconsin and North Carolina TV stations in recent weeks. He spoke with MSNBC and ABC after last month’s presidential debate, and he was interviewed by Michigan station Fox 17. Walz has also spoken to radio stations in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Walz was previously mocked for a comment he made during a speech in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, at a September rally when he told attendees “we can’t afford four more years of this.”  Although Walz may have been referring to gun violence or Trump’s rhetoric when he cited “four more years” of an issue, his statement led conservative commentators to roast the Minnesota governor on social media for what appeared to be a criticism of the Biden administration. Fox News’ Andrea Margolis, Brian Flood and David Rutz contributed to this report. 

Preview: New Zealand vs West Indies – Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 semifinal

Preview: New Zealand vs West Indies – Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 semifinal

Who: New Zealand vs West IndiesWhat: Second semifinal, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024When: Friday, October 18, 6pm (14:00 GMT)Where: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesHow to follow: Al Jazeera’s live text coverage begins at 10:30 GMT West Indies and New Zealand meet in a semifinal befitting of a tournament that has defied the odds. Australia, the record six-time winners and current holders, were eliminated on Thursday by a South Africa side given little hope of exacting revenge on the team that defeated them on home soil in the final of the last edition. The Australians had been on a 14-game winning streak at T20 World Cups. The three teams most fancied to stop Australia’s defence, England, India and Asia Cup winners Sri Lanka didn’t even make it out of the group stage. New Zealand had lost 10 T20 internationals in a row before their shock 58-run victory against India in their opening game. A result the Indians, arguably, never recovered from. West Indies, meantime, have one of the stars of the tournament in their captain Hayley Matthews, but they, like their Kiwi opponents, were regarded as long shots to make it out of their group. “No one had us to get to this stage,” Matthews said ahead of the semifinal. “So, we’re all pretty happy that we’ve made it here, but … the job’s just not finished. We’re … hopefully ready to play a really big game because we don’t want to just come to this World Cup to say, ‘Hey we’ve made the semifinals and we’re happy with that’.” West Indies’ only previous appearance in the final came in 2016 but that did result in a win. That too went against the grain, as they beat an Australian side searching for a fourth consecutive title. “We’re always at our best when we’re enjoying ourselves and being really vibrant in the field,” Matthews added. “I’m just encouraging every one of the youngsters to go out and enjoy themselves. Yeah. it’s a World Cup semifinal, and it’s a huge game, but we’re still playing the same game that we learned in the back yards of our homes and also on the streets in the Caribbean – so, just enjoy it.” Since New Zealand’s wretched run came to an end with their opening win against India, only Australia have taken the wind out of the Kiwis’ sails. It was, however, a chastening experience for New Zealand, who were bowled out for 86 in an 80-run defeat. Indeed, Sophie Devine’s side were the favourites to finish bottom of a group of death, which also included Sri Lanka and Pakistan. “We don’t want to get too high or too low, and that’s really key for us to make sure that we play with that level of emotions,” said Devine, who could become the first Kiwi captain to lift a Women’s World Cup. “It is another game and we’re trying to keep things really similar in terms of the build-up and the preparation we’re doing.” New Zealand vs West Indies: Head-to-head record New Zealand enjoy a 17-5 advantage over the West Indies in their 23 T20 encounters, including two Super Over wins. One match ended in a “no result” due to a washout. New Zealand’s best result at T20 World Cup Runners-up: 2009, 2010 West Indies’s best result at T20 World Cup Champions: 2016 Form guide: New Zealand The White Ferns opened their World Cup campaign with a win over pre-tournament favourites India, and closed their group phase by knocking them out with a win over Pakistan. Their only loss in the tournament came against Australia. Last five matches: W W L W L Form guide: West Indies The West Indies will look to continue their three-match winning streak in the tournament and go all the way to the final. Last five matches: W W W L L Toss and pitch condition In the eight group-stage matches played in Sharjah, teams winning the toss have batted first on eight occasions. Five of those eight games have ended in a win for the team batting first. One match saw the toss-winning captain choosing to bowl first and win the match. Weather forecast Sharjah will be hot, humid and somewhat unforgiving in the early part of the match. The temperature is expected to hover around 36 degrees Celsius (96.8F) with 50 percent humidity, making the real temperature feel a bit higher. Team news: New Zealand New Zealand have been spared from major injuries to their usual playing XI and are expected to field the same side that beat Pakistan in their last game. Squad: Sophie Devine (captain), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Isabella Gaze (wicketkeeper), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu. Team news: West Indies The West Indies will hope their star batter Stefanie Taylor, who missed the game against England, is fit for the big match and take her place in the XI. Squad: Hayley Matthews (captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle (wicketkeeper), Ashmini Munisar, Afy Fletcher, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Chedean Nation, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa Crafton. Adblock test (Why?)