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To the Editor:
Regarding “Trump’s Charity Toward None,” by Maureen Dowd (column, Oct. 20): I had the opportunity to attend the 79th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, where I listened to the “remarks” delivered by Donald J. Trump. Like Ms. Dowd, I found myself increasingly appalled by the content and tone of his speech. It was nearly impossible to track the various fellow Americans he criticized—not for their political stances, but through personal attacks laden with coarse and vulgar language.
While I may not recall every individual he targeted, I do remember some notable figures, including President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris (who he claimed had “the mental faculties of a child”), Senator Chuck Schumer (who was subjected to an ambiguous sexual slur), and Governor Tim Walz (similarly attacked). He also ridiculed former Mayor Bill de Blasio, Democrats in general, and, unfortunately, immigrants.
One could not help but feel a sense of sympathy for Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the evening’s host, who had to endure such remarks while watching attendees applaud as if they were unaware that the noble tradition of a charity dinner—established in memory of a great American—was being tarnished by what resembled a crude and vulgar campaign rally.
Mr. Trump claimed to find it “disrespectful” that Ms. Harris was absent from the event (one could hardly blame her for wanting to avoid sharing the stage with him), yet throughout the evening, he demonstrated a complete lack of respect for the standards and principles upheld by the esteemed Al Smith.
Leo J. O’Donovan
New York
The writer, a Roman Catholic priest, is president emeritus of Georgetown University.
To the Editor:
I would like to express my gratitude to Maureen Dowd for articulating what many Catholics felt upon witnessing Cardinal Timothy Dolan laughing heartily at Donald Trump’s cruel personal attacks and blatant falsehoods during the annual Al Smith dinner.
