U.S. presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump traded insults in what was meant to be a light-hearted evening at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York Thursday night. The white-tie annual charity event is traditionally the last opportunity nominees have to share the stage and trade playful jokes before the election. The dinner came one day after the candidates sparred at a heated final presidential debate in Las Vegas on Wednesday.
CTVNews.ca has compiled a roundup of some of the best and most awkward moments during the annual dinner.
Trump acknowledges Melania’s plagiarized speech:
“You know the President told me to stop whining. But I really have to say the media is even more biased than ever before. You want the proof? Michelle Obama gives a speech. And everyone loves it, it's fantastic. They think she's absolutely great. My wife, Melania, gives the exact same speech and people get on her case. And I don't get it. I don't know why. And it wasn't her fault ... Oh, I'm in trouble when I go home tonight. She didn't know about that one."
Clinton pokes fun at Trump’s attitude on women:
"People look at the Statue of Liberty and they see a proud symbol of our history as a nation of immigrants. A beacon of hope for people around the world. Donald sees the Statue of Liberty and sees a four… Maybe a five if she loses the torch and tablet and changes her hair."
Trump elicits boos for Clinton emails joke:
"I wasn't really sure if Hillary was going to be here tonight because, I guess, you didn't send her invitation by email. Or maybe you did, and she just found out about it through the wonder of WikiLeaks. We've learned so much from WikiLeaks. For example, Hillary believes that it is vital to deceive the people by having one public policy and a totally different policy in private."
Clinton’s laughs off Trump’s criticisms of her health:
“I took a break from my rigorous nap schedule to be here. And it’s a treat for you because usually I charge a lot for speeches like this.â€
Trump makes light of his threat to put Clinton in jail:
“We've proven that we can actually be civil to each other. In fact, just before taking the dais, Hillary accidentally bumped into me and she very civilly said, ‘Pardon me,’†Trump said before adding: “And I very politely replied, 'Let me talk to you about that after I get into office.’â€
Clinton attacks Trump’s refusal to accept election results:
“It’s amazing that I’m up here after Donald. I didn’t think he’d be OK with a peaceful transition of power.â€
Trump brings up Rosie O’Donnell (again):
“You know, last night, I called Hillary a nasty woman. But this stuff is all relative. After listening to Hillary rattle on and on and on, I don't think so badly of Rosie O'Donnell anymore. In fact, I'm actually starting to like Rosie a lot."
Clinton dispels Trump’s accusations that she’s on drugs:
"There is nothing like sharing a stage with Donald Trump. Donald wanted me drug-tested before last night's debate. And look, I am so flattered that Donald thought I used some sort of performance enhancer. Now, actually I did. It's called preparation.â€
Trump’s makes fun of attendance at Clinton’s campaign rallies:
“It's great to be here with 1,000 wonderful people. Or, as I call it, a small, intimate dinner with some friends. Or, as Hillary calls it, her largest crowd of the season."
Clinton jabs at Trump’s campaign team resignations:
“Looking back, I’ve had to listen to Donald for three whole debates. And he says I don’t have stamina. That is four-and-a-half hours. I have now stood next to Donald Trump longer than his campaign managers.â€
The nominees weren't the only ones sharking jokes during the festivities. Twitter users shared their hilarious reactions to the televised event.
everyone in the audience and at home
— Mike Nellis (@MikeNellis)
In summary...
— Siobhan Morris (@siomo)
This guy is all of us
— Brianna Sacks (@bri_sacks)
We act like we hate each other, but underneath we like each other and underneath THAT we hate each other.
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC)
--the point of the Al Smith dinner
We'll skip desert.
— Cally (@CrankyMcWonker)