Trump and Melania attend Al Smith dinner together as Harris skips it to campaign

Judge Tanya Chutkan has denied Donald Trump’s attempts to block more evidence from Jack Smith in his federal election interference case.

On Friday, Chutkan will unseal redacted portions of the immunity motion filed earlier this month by Smith, which includes new details about the former president’s actions leading up to the January 6 riots.

Donald Trump announced last month he is selling “truly special” Trump Watches priced up to $100,000 and construted with “premium, Swiss-made” materials.

The watches were part of the latest merchandise push by the former president. The Republican nominee for president wrote on his Truth Social platform about the devices and how “you’re going to love them.” He added: “Would make a great Christmas Gift. Don’t wait, they will go fast. GET YOUR TRUMP WATCH RIGHT NOW!”

Now, the watchmaker’s origins are in question after CNN tried to track down the company behind the devices. They aren’t based in Switzerland, but their address returns to a strip mall. In Wyoming. Next to an HR&Block and a Wendy’s.

More than a dozen people who were part of the “fake electors” scheme in 2020 will serve as official electors for Donald Trump in key swing states such as Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia and Michigan during the election season.

At least 14 of the 82 electors chosen to represent the Republican Party – and pledge their vote to Trump should their state vote that way – are tied to “fake elector” schemes in various states, some currently under criminal prosecution.

Another 16 are election deniers who believe President Joe Biden won in 2020 because of mass fraudulent voting, according to a survey conducted by CNN.

Donald Trump slammed Kamala Harris’s absence from the Al Smith charity dinner while giving his keynote speech on Thursday night.

“But I must say, I was shocked when I heard that Kamala was skipping the Al Smith dinner,” Trump said. “I’d really hoped that she would come, because we can’t get enough of hearing her beautiful laugh. She laughs like crazy. We would recognize it any place in this room.”

“Instead of attending tonight, she’s in Michigan receiving communion from Gretchen Whitmer,” he added.

Trump used much of his time to bash President Joe Biden and the vice president.

“We have someone in the White House who can barely talk, barely put together two coherent sentences, who seems to have mental faculties of a child, is a person that has…no intelligence whatsoever — but enough about Kamala Harris,” he said.

Donald Trump has taken the stage at the Al Smith charity dinner in New York City.

Moments into his speech, he cracked a joke about recently indicted New York City Mayor Eric Adams: “Mayor Adams, good luck with everything.”

He also praised Melania Trump’s recent memoir, Melania.

“It’s a really good book, and she worked hard on it, and it just became number one on The New York Times list,” he said. “It’s not an easy thing to do, especially when your name is Trump and you’re on The New York Times list.”

He also joked about his own legal woes.

“These days, it’s really a pleasure anywhere in New York without a subpoena for my appearance,” Trump said. “Anytime I don’t get a subpoena, I’m very happy.”

Kamala Harris, who did not attend tonight’s Al Smith charity dinner, sent in a video to be played for attendees.

Harris’s video featured comedian Molly Shannon, playing her iconic character from the film “Superstar,” Mary Katherine Gallagher.

“One last thing I want to tell you: Don’t forget to say ‘superstar!’” Shannon said, striking her iconic pose.

After Shannon’s appearance, Harris addressed the crowd with a more serious tone.

“The Church cares for the sick and feeds the hungry, supports families with housing and education and in times of disaster provides not only essential supplies, but also, and so importantly, a sense of hope,” Harris said.

“In the spirit of tonight’s dinner, let us recommit to reaching across divides, to seek understanding and common ground,” she continued.

Comedian Jim Gaffigan, host of this year’s Al Smith dinner, kicked off the event with a series of political zingers.

Gaffigan began with a quip about Kamala Harris’s decision not to attend, telling attendees he wanted to address the notable absence: “Of course, I’m talking about the middle class,” he went on to joke.

“You know, this event has been referred to as the Catholic Met Gala, 22% of Americans identified as Catholic,” Gaffigan later added. “Catholics will be a key demographic in every battle throughout the state. I’m sorry – why is Vice President Harris not here?”

This isn’t Gaffigan’s first foray into politics in recent months – the comedian has also been tapped to play vice presidential candidate Tim Walz on Saturday Night Live.

“But seriously, this is the special night people,” Gaffigan said. “This is the one night when Republicans and Democrats and Democrats who used to be Republican and Republicans who used to be Democrats and independents and whatever Michael Bloomberg is now…we can [come together].”

The former president and former first lady appeared at the dinner both dressed in black-tie outfits Thursday night. Trump smiled, raised his fist and shook hands as he made his way to his seat.

Trump is set to speak at the event later on Thursday evening.

Melania has been notably absent from the campaign trail. Over the last year, she has attended only a handful of rallies and events, often avoiding the spotlight while there. She also broke a long-running tradition by attending but not speaking at the Republican National Convention in July.