Trump calls January 6 Capitol riot a 'day of love' at Al Smith dinner, while criticising Harris

During his speech at the Al Smith charity dinner in New York, former President Donald Trump stirred controversy by describing the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot as a "day of love." Trump, who faced widespread condemnation for his handling of the riot, doubled down on his defense, stating, "Nothing done wrong at all." He further claimed, “There were no guns down there. We didn’t have guns. The others had guns, but we didn’t have guns,” dismissing concerns about the violent nature of the event.

Vice President Kamala Harris, campaigning in La Crosse, Wisconsin, quickly responded to Trump's remarks. “The American people are exhausted with his gaslighting. Enough. We are ready to turn the page,” she said, criticizing his ongoing attempts to downplay the severity of the January 6 insurrection, which saw rioters storm the Capitol and injure over 140 police officers. Harris noted that Americans are "done" with Trump's divisive rhetoric and are looking for a future where such incidents are not repeated.

Trump’s comments have reignited debate about his role in the riot and his persistent attempts to frame the incident in a more favorable light. Despite his controversial remarks, Trump received a warm reception at the dinner, where he made several self-deprecating jokes and took jabs at political opponents, including Harris.