Former President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump made headlines after attending the Al Smith charity dinner in New York on Thursday night, where the atmosphere turned awkward as comedian Jim Gaffigan took a jab at Trump over his notorious 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape. The event, known for its roast-like humor, didn’t hold back, even with the former first lady present.
Gaffigan lightened the room with a joke referring to Trump’s controversial comment about grabbing women by their genitals. He quipped, “During the first and only debate, President Trump talked about taking cats and eating them. If you’re keeping track at home, this is the second time grabbing a kitty has been part of a campaign issue.” This was a clear reference to the infamous tape, which resurfaced in October 2016, just weeks before Trump’s first presidential election.
For context, the “Access Hollywood” tape captured Trump boasting in 2005 about his ability to grab women “by the pussy” because of his fame. The comment had sparked widespread criticism and became a defining scandal during Trump’s initial campaign.
Melania Trump, who rarely appears on the 2024 campaign trail, had to endure this public reminder of the scandal. The couple married in January 2005, and their son, Barron, was born the following year. The timing of the “Access Hollywood” incident and its association with Trump’s personal life, including claims of an affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels, added to the tensions. The alleged affair in 2006 became a central point in the hush money case that led to Trump’s criminal charges earlier this year for falsifying business records.
While Melania has largely remained absent from major campaign events, her attendance at the charity dinner raised eyebrows. Her last significant appearance with Trump was during the Republican National Convention in July. Recently, she has been promoting her new book, making several media appearances.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who was expected to attend the event, opted out and appeared instead through a prerecorded video message while campaigning in Wisconsin. Critics of Gaffigan’s participation in the event argued that by hosting the dinner, he was normalizing Trump’s past behavior and controversial rhetoric.
The annual Al Smith charity dinner is known for its mix of humor and high-profile guests, but this year’s event brought a uniquely uncomfortable moment as Trump and Melania faced yet another reminder of the turbulent political and personal controversies that continue to shadow their public life.
