Former President Donald Trump addressed the 49th annual National Italian American Foundation gala dinner on Saturday night in Washington, D.C.
In a prerecorded video, Trump expressed his gratitude and fondness for Italian Americans and briefly mentioned the election. The former president told the audience, “We have to save our country,” and he encouraged people to “get out and vote.”
“It’s a great group. I have so many friends right now in your audience,” Trump said. “And it’s an honor to say hello to you, and I’m with the Italian people. I love the Italian people.”
“I don’t know what it is exactly, but whatever it is, you’ve got me. But we’re together all the way. I just looked at the polls, and we’re doing unbelievably well. It looks like we’re going to pull it off,” Trump said.
“We have to save our country. I hope everybody’s going to get out and vote,” Trump said.
Trump’s video was part of the gala’s festivities. NIAF also showed a video clip of President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden from a White House reception earlier this month in which they honored October as Italian American Heritage Month.
“The most important lesson that I learned in their kitchen was that, when you’re Italian American, there’s always room for one more chair at the table, enough bread toast to feed one more guest, enough space in our hearts for another friend to become like family,” the first lady said in the video clip.
Later, the president and first lady also thanked NIAF for its assistance with the reception and the organization’s work involving Italians and Italian Americans.
“And I’m also grateful to the National Italian American Foundation,” Jill Biden said.
NIAF is a nonprofit organization without any political affiliations. It was founded in 1975 and is the “largest and most loyal representative of the more than 20 million Italian American citizens living in the United States.” Its mission is “to celebrate and advance the inspiring achievements and uplifting values of the Italian culture and presence in America and to strengthen and empower ties between the United States and Italy,” a press release for the gala noted.
The event featured Italian American politicians in attendance, including former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was part of a panel discussion earlier in the day hosted by NIAF with former Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway. McCarthy was one of this year’s gala honorees. The dinner was hosted by comedian Joe Piscopo and journalist Maria Bartiromo.
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Trump’s message was shown toward the end of the evening and before McCarthy made his remarks. He concluded his video by wishing everyone in attendance a good time.
“Italian people [are] very, very special,” Trump said. “You’re my friends. [I have] so many friends in the audience. Have a good time. This is your gala dinner. You deserve it.”
