© Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
During the Al Smith charity dinner Thursday night in New York, Donald Trump effectively bombed in his attempt to roast Hillary Clinton, drawing frequent boos from the audience at the annual white-tie gala. Trump’s speech began with routine jokes about himself, his wife Melania, and Clinton, before the routine turned especially political—feeling more like a stump speech rather than a comedic roast. “Hillary is so corrupt she got kicked off the Watergate Commission,” he said, attempting humor, only to be met with jeers. Another joke that failed to land: “Here she is in public, pretending not to hate Catholics.” Clinton, for her part, mostly drew laughs during a routine that poked fun at both herself and her Republican rival. The night is often intended to showcase the candidates’ humor while benefiting a Catholic charity.