Trump says he was “surprised.” Vice President Kamala Harris skipped Al Smith dinner: 'Terrible decision'

Former President Trump said Friday he was “surprised” that Vice President Kamala Harris skipped the 79th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner, calling it a “terrible” decision by the Democratic nominee.

“I thought it was great, you know, it was for the Catholic Church… lots of good people, lots of good causes and unusually she didn't show up. “You would have thought she would have shown up last night,” Trump said during an in-studio appearance on “FOX & Friends.”

“We were all surprised,” Trump added.

TRUMP ATTACKS HARRIS DURING KEYNOTE AT AL SMITH DINNER, promising to fix 'serious problems' in US

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 on October 17, 2024 in New York. (Getty Images)

The Al Smith Dinner was founded in 1946 and has raised millions of dollars for charities that support women and children. It has since become a political and cultural hallmark of election season, but Harris surprised many by skipping the bipartisan political event that typically provides some levity on the campaign trail every presidential election cycle.

“I think it's terrible that she missed it because … in many years only one person has missed it, and that's Walter Mondale, and he lost 49-1,” Trump said, referring to the Democrat won only one state in his state in 1984, had a lopsided defeat.

“Fox & Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade asked Trump why he thought Harris skipped the event, which is traditionally attended by candidates from both parties.

“I think she’s not competent. “I don’t want to say anything like that, but we can’t live with it,” Trump said.

“I don’t think she’s funny,” he added. “We can’t have her as president, she’s a Marxist. We are not ready for a Marxist.”

MONTAGE: TRUMP cracks jokes at the Al Smith dinner in New York City

Former President Trump said Friday he was “surprised” that Vice President Kamala Harris skipped the 79th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner. (Getty Images)

Trump also mocked Harris' decision while speaking at the event.

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

“If you really wanted Vice President Harris to accept your invitation, you probably should have told her that the funds were intended to save the looters and rioters in Minneapolis and she would have been here guaranteed. She would have been guaranteed that.” Trump also joked, referencing Harris' promotion of a bail fund during the 2020 unrest.

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 in 1928 as a Democrat. Harris' snub of the historic Catholic charity event angered New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, the dinner's host, on his podcast earlier this week.

COMEDIAN JIM GAFFIGAN TAKES A SURPRISING SHOT ON HARRIS FOR SPRAYING THE “CATHOLIC MET GALA.”

“It's going to be unbalanced this year because, unfortunately, Kamala Harris isn't coming,” Dolan said on his podcast on Tuesday. “It's a shame because the nature of the evening is to bring people together. The nature of the evening is one of politeness, patriotism and humor. It's not a campaign speech. It’s not a campaign stop.”

Others attending the event include Attorney General Letitia James – an outspoken critic of Trump who called him a “fraud” when she ran for attorney general in 2018 – former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, the majority leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, Governor…. Kathy Hochul and others.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Harris campaign for comment about sending a pre-recorded video message for the event, but did not receive a response. The campaign previously told Fox News that Harris skipped the event to focus on campaigning in the battleground state of Wisconsin on Thursday.

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