Vice President Kamala Harris has decided to skip the 79th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner in New York, breaking a tradition of participation by presidential candidates. Instead, she will focus on campaigning in key battleground states ahead of the upcoming election. Cardinal Timothy Dolan expressed disappointment over her absence, emphasizing the event's role in promoting unity and political collegiality. Former President Donald Trump confirmed his attendance and used the opportunity to criticize Harris, accusing her administration of being unfriendly to Catholics. The dinner, hosted by New York Catholic Charities, has been a bipartisan platform for presidential candidates since 1960. Trump's participation continues a tradition of humorous and light-hearted political exchanges between rivals.