Former President Donald Trump acted to fix fences with Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer backstage at Thursday night time’s Al Smith Dinner — earlier than kicking them down once more with a joke in regards to the Brooklyn Democrat’s odds of turning into the “first lady president.”
“You’re my man, you’re my man,” Trump, 78, stated as he warmly shook Schumer’s hand with each of his forward of the $5,000-a-plate charity soiree, in response to a supply near each males.
Schumer, 73, was seated heart stage on the white-tie occasion, however stood up and clapped for the forty fifth president, who was seated simply two locations away — subsequent to host Cardinal Timothy Dolan and former first woman Melania Trump.
Trump was later caught on digital camera leaning in and talking inaudibly to Schumer for a number of moments earlier than taking the rostrum to let rip with a few of his finest materials.
“Chuck Schumer is right here trying very glum,” Trump ribbed the highest Senate Democrat whereas patting him on the again. “Doesn’t he look glum? He appears glum.”
“However look on the brilliant aspect, Chuck,” the Republican nominee added, “contemplating how woke your occasion has grow to be, if Kamala loses, you continue to have an opportunity to grow to be the primary lady president.”
The viewers erupted with laughter, however Schumer, who was sitting on to Trump’s left, didn’t look amused.
Trump and his allies have hammered Vice President Kamala Harris all through the marketing campaign for quietly abandoning her previous left-wing stances — together with her assist for taxpayer-funded intercourse reassignment surgical procedures for jail inmates.
“The press is reporting the Democrats are beginning to panic,” Trump had stated instantly earlier than his one-liner directed to Schumer. “They’re panicking as a result of the votes which are coming in are coming in very, very robust — a sure means. I received’t inform you what means that’s.”
Schumer helped pave the best way for Harris’ ascent to the highest of the 2024 Democratic ticket by pressuring President Biden to droop his re-election marketing campaign in July.
The Senate chief was nonetheless one of many final senior Democrats to publicly endorse Harris’ candidacy.
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Whereas Trump beforehand recognized as a Democrat and even donated hundreds of {dollars} to Schumer’s congressional campaigns within the Eighties and ’90s, Trump has swapped insults with the Senate majority chief since taking on the Republican Celebration’s mantle.
In an interview launched Thursday, hours earlier than the dinner, Trump stated Schumer and different prime Democrats have been “threats” to the nation because of their dealing with of the continuing migrant disaster.
Through the dinner trade, Schumer wagged his index finger at Trump as the previous president leaned over, although it’s unclear what the 2 males mentioned.
The obvious frostiness didn’t cease Trump from complimenting Schumer Thursday night time.
“I really stated, ‘Do you thoughts if I do this?’ and he stated, ‘No, you gotta do what you gotta do.’ He’s a professional, he’s knowledgeable,” the previous president stated.
“Nah, he’s man, really. I hate to say it. Don’t ever use it in opposition to me, please,” Trump added. “However I’ve identified him a very long time.”
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