Trump Defends Controversial Statements and Pushes Immigration Agenda at Al Smith Dinner

Donald Trump took the stage at the Al Smith charity dinner on October 17, 2024, where his comments continued to spark debate. He stood by his previous controversial remarks about immigrants, particularly his baseless claims regarding immigrants eating pets in Ohio, asserting that he was merely “saying what was reported.”

The remarks were part of a broader pattern where Trump revisited his stance on immigration, mass deportations, and the future of the US in his public appearances. His assertions on the 6 January 2021 Capitol riots as a “day of love” also attracted criticism, notably from his political opponents, including Kamala Harris, who took to Fox News to counter his rhetoric.

Harris, in a separate campaign stop, sharply criticized Trump’s statements, especially his claims regarding the January 6 events and his policies on immigration. She defended the Biden administration’s efforts while emphasizing that her own potential presidency would differ from Biden’s approach.