Trump reveals the major election issue that he focuses on 'every minute' of the day

Harris is the first major-party candidate to miss the AI Smith dinner in person
PUBLISHED OCT 19, 2024
Donald Trump reveals election issue he is engaged with (Getty Images)
Donald Trump reveals election issue he is engaged with (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump has unveiled his intense focus on the 2024 election, revealing he spends "every minute" thinking about who will be on his team if he reclaims the presidency.

In a fiery appearance on Fox & Friends, Trump also took aim at Kamala Harris for skipping the prestigious Al Smith dinner, calling her absence a sign of her being "incompetent."

Donald Trump reveals election issue he spends ‘every minute’ thinking about

Asked about potential candidates for his administration, Donald Trump said he’s constantly thinking about who will make up his team.

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the annual Alfred E. Smith Foundation Dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown on October 17, 2024 in New York City. Trump was the featured speaker with comedian Jim Gaffigan as the Master of Ceremonies at the the 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner. The dinner, a white-tie charity event that benefits Catholic charities, is known for political figures poking fun at one another. The foundation honors the late Alfred E. Smith, former governor of New York and America's first Catholic presidential nominee. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks during the annual Alfred E. Smith Foundation Dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown on October 17, 2024 in New York City (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

"I spend every minute of every day" thinking about who my team will be he revealed. The former president also hinted that some of the guests at the Al Smith dinner could play a role in his future administration, although he didn’t drop any names.

Kamala Harris’ absence at AI Smith dinner sparks criticism by Donald Trump

Donald Trump attended the white-tie event on Thursday, October 17, in New York, alongside prominent figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr and his wife Cheryl Hines. Yet, Harris’ decision to send a pre-taped message instead of attending in person did not sit well with the former president.

Traditionally, this dinner is a must-attend for candidates from both parties, marking the last time they appear together before Election Day. Since 1945, the Al Smith dinner has been a hallmark of bipartisan unity and light-hearted roasting.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) speaks to reporters after announcing her
 Kamala Harris (D-CA) speaks to reporters after announcing her candidacy for President of the United States, at Howard University, her alma mater, on January 21, 2019 in Washington, DC (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images)

It was "disrespectful to our great Catholic community," he said, noting that she is the first major-party candidate to miss the event in person. The last time such a snub occurred was in 1984, when Democrat Walter Mondale missed the event—and he later lost the election in a landslide to Ronald Reagan. Trump was quick to draw the comparison, pointing out Mondale’s defeat.

Harris, who was in Wisconsin for a campaign event, opted for a video that featured 'Saturday Night Live' comedian Molly Shannon portraying her iconic Catholic schoolgirl character, Mary Katherine Gallagher. But for Trump, this wasn’t enough.



 

Donald Trump boasts about his presidency

When questioned by the 'Fox & Friends' hosts about regrets from his first presidency, Donald Trump didn’t shy away from reflecting on his choices. While he avoided naming specific individuals, he alluded to those he had let go from his administration, adding with a grin, "I know a lot about firing people."

Trump didn’t stop at criticizing Harris’ absence at the dinner. He doubled down on previous attacks, calling her a "low IQ person" and questioning her ability to lead the country. Harris, who has often been the target of the GOP presidential nominee's verbal barbs, was campaigning in the crucial swing state of Wisconsin at the time. Boasting of his four years in office, Trump claimed, "We had the greatest economy in history. We had the greatest border."

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