Comedian Jim Gaffigan’s “grabbing a kitty” joke about Donald Trump shocked the crowd at the Al Smith Dinner — an annual Catholic white tie dinner in New York City to raise funds for charity that has become a ritual in American politics in which politicians from both parties attend and trade lighthearted jabs.
“During the first and only debate, President Trump talked about migrants taking cats and eating them,” Gaffigan said. “If you’re keeping track at home, this is the second time grabbing a kitty has been part of a campaign issue.”
This prompted an immediate shocked reaction from the audience — gasps, oohs, and aahhs, as well as scattered claps and laughter. Featured guests on the dais also had visual reactions.
The joke is a reference to the racist lie Trump told about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, during his debate with Kamala Harris last month, as well as his infamous “grab ‘em by the pussy” line from the “Access Hollywood” tape released ahead of the 2016 election.
“We talked about leaving that out,” the mic picked up Mary Erdoes, vice chair of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation and CEO of the asset and wealth management division of J.P. Morgan, noting to Gaffigan with a chuckle.
“I was gonna leave that out,” Gaffigan confirmed to the audience.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, and Trump could be seen whispering to each other on the dais after Gaffigan’s joke.
