Former President Donald Trump hurled back at Vice President Kamala Harris at Thursday night’s annual Al Smith Dinner in New York. His sharp barbs underscore the simmering tensions between the two as November’s 2024 election approaches. Leading the Republican presidential primary, Trump used this forum to decimate Harris on her record and brush aside her leadership as a “disaster” for the country.
Harris, who was running across Wisconsin, fired back against claims by Trump to be the “father of IVF.” In recent speeches, Trump has touted himself as part of his administration’s legacy by advancing reproductive health by mentioning IVF. At a rally in Milwaukee, Harris wasn’t afraid to poke fun at Trump’s claims.
“Now he’s the father of IVF? News to the scientists and doctors who have worked on that for decades,” she said, chuckling as the crowd cheered. “This is the same person who is still not sure about climate change but sure, let’s give him credit for that too,” she quipped, further criticizing Trump’s record on healthcare and reproductive rights.
Recent high-stakes rhetoric between the presidential candidates underscores the intense competition expected during the coming election as Trump continues his campaign to return to the White House. Harris, who will certainly have a critical role in President Biden’s re-election plans, has lately become a target by the Republicans. Her tour across battleground states like Wisconsin underscores efforts to beef up support for the Biden-Harris ticket, particularly among women and minority voters.
On one level, at the Al Smith Dinner, a long-standing charity event for its political zingers, Trump made digs against other prominent figures but had his most pointed criticism for Harris. “She’s been a complete failure,” Trump declared, adding that “we need real leadership, not somebody who spends all their time making speeches.”
As both sides prepare for what is shaping up to be a hotly contested election season, Thursday’s confrontation marks the start of what is very likely to be an explosive campaign trail.
