Harris Says Trump Is 'Exhausted.' Trump: 'What Event Did I Cancel?' She 'Didn't Even Show Up to the Catholics Event' (October 18, 2024)

Kamala Harris tried to make Donald Trump’s stamina the story. Trump turned it back on her. “Kamala Harris says you’re exhausted,” a reporter told Trump on the tarmac in Romulus, Michigan, on Oct. 18, 2024. “Are you exhausted?” [1]

“What event did I cancel? I haven’t canceled,” Trump said. “She doesn’t go to any events. She’s a loser. She doesn’t go to any events. She didn’t even show up to the Catholics event last night at the hotel. It was insulting,” The Daily Wire reported [1].

The video above shows Trump’s answer on Oct. 18, 2024. Quotes are from The Daily Wire, the American Presidency Project, The National News Desk and the National Archives [1][2][3][4][5].

”The Energy of a Rabbit”

“Let me tell you something, she should have been last night with the Catholics,” he continued, The Daily Wire reported. “So all they do is put out sound bites.” [1]

Trump laid out his own schedule. “Today I was at Fox and Friends at seven in the morning,” he said. “I then went to two different other appearances. I then made about 15 phone calls. I’ve gone 48 days now without a rest, and I’ve got that loser who doesn’t have the energy of a rabbit.” [1]

“Tell me when you’ve seen me take even a little bit of a rest. Not only am I not, I’m not even tired. I’m really exhilarated. You know why? We’re killing her in the polls, because the American people don’t want her,” Trump said [1].

”Is He Fit to Do the Job?”

That same day, in Grand Rapids, Harris made the charge. “In addition, I’ve — you know, I’ve been hearing reports that his team, at least, is saying he’s suffering from exhaustion. And that’s apparently the excuse for why he’s not doing interviews and, of course, he’s not doing the CNN Town Hall. He refuses to do another debate,” she said [2].

“And so, we really do need to ask: If he’s exhausted being on the campaign trail, is he fit to do the job?” Harris said [2].

A reporter asked her about the dinner she skipped. “The former president has been critical of you not attending the Al Smith dinner last night,” the reporter said. “Well, I’m beyond getting into the head of Donald Trump, but I will say it should be a concern,” Harris answered [2].

”Deeply Disrespectful”

The night before, Trump had shown up at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York, the Catholic charity event, and Harris had not. “My opponent feels like she does not have to be here, which is deeply disrespectful to the event and in particular to our great Catholic community, very disrespectful,” Trump said, to cheers and applause [3].

“The last Democrat not to attend this important event was Walter Mondale, and it did not go very well for him,” he said. “He lost 49 states and he won one, Minnesota. So I said, there’s no way I’m missing it.” [3]

“Harris opted to address attendees via video Thursday, drawing her jeers from Trump,” The National News Desk reported [4].

”Receiving Communion From Gretchen Whitmer”

Trump roasted her absence. “Instead of attending tonight, she’s in Michigan receiving communion from Gretchen Whitmer,” he said, to laughter. “That’s not a pretty sight. But Catholics, please don’t be too insulted by Kamala’s absence.” [3]

“If you really wanted Vice President Harris to accept your invitation, I guess you should have told her the funds were going to bail out the looters and rioters in Minneapolis, and she would’ve been here,” Trump said, according to The National News Desk [4].

“And Catholics, you got to vote for me,” he told the room. “Just remember. You better remember, I’m here and she’s not.” [3]

“You Know the Word ‘Weird’”

Trump also made a pitch. “And all polls are indicating I’m leading big with the Catholic vote, as I should be, as I should be,” he said [3].

He threw the Democrats’ favorite word back at them. “In any event, it’s a weird, weird, weird, weird, weird – you know the word ‘weird,’” Trump said, The National News Desk reported. “They call me weird. They call JD weird. We’re very solid people. This guy is calling us weird, but this was weird that the Democrat candidate is not here and with us tonight.” [4]

Harris spoke to the dinner by pre-recorded video. “Let us recommit to reaching across divides, to seek understanding and common ground,” she said [4].

On the tarmac the next day, Trump went further. “She didn’t pass her bar exam. She’s not a smart person. She’s not a person that should represent our country. So I just want to let you know that very clearly,” he said [1].

By the Numbers

48: days Trump said he had gone without a rest [1].
15: phone calls he said he made that day [1].
49: states Walter Mondale lost after skipping the dinner, per Trump [3].
312-226: Trump’s Electoral College win over Harris [5].

What Happened Next

Trump won. Eighteen days later, Trump won the presidency. The National Archives lists the 2024 Electoral College result as “Electoral Vote Winner: 312 Main Opponent: 226,” with Trump the winner and Harris the main opponent [5].

For Harris’ interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier days earlier, see HYGO News’ page on Oct. 16, 2024. For the Biden White House on FEMA and migrants that October, see the page on Oct. 4, 2024.