Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have been arguing violently for months in one of the most acrimonious presidential campaigns in years, but they were much different behind closed doors at Thursday night's Al Smith Dinner, Timothy Cardinal Dolan said Friday.
"There were some very touching moments," the New York archbishop, who sat between Trump and Clinton at the charity dinner, told NBC's "Today" show, explaining that the two were kind to each other behind the scenes before the annual white tie fundraiser, after he asked them both to pray with him.
"After the little prayer, Mr. Trump turned to Secretary Clinton and said, 'You are one tough and talented woman,'" Dolan commented. "He said, 'This has been a good experience, this whole campaign, as tough as it's been.'"
Clinton returned his compliment, Dolan said, telling Trump that "'whatever happens, we need to work together afterward,'" Dolan said.
The annual event is a "family dinner where you're just hoping things go well," Dolan said, and it was obvious Clinton and Trump were awkward with each other.
However, that's usual, he explained, noting four years ago he observed a similar "iciness" between President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney.
Dolan admitted that he was "kind of nervous" going through the dinner.
"You know the nature of the Al Smith dinner," he said. "It is to be an evening of unity and friendship and joy . . . In general, hallelujah, the evening went very well. But there were some awkward moments.
"Whenever you get any humor, there can be a little awkwardness, a little anticipation, is this going to work or not, is this going over the line, is this bringing people together."
However, he said he did not feel that it was awkward sitting between the battling candidates even though they were awkward with each other.
"I was very moved by the obvious attempt on behalf of both Secretary Clinton and Mr. Trump to be courteous, to get along, to say nice things privately to one another," said Dolan. "I was very moved by that. That was pleasant because I was there with them, not only at the dais, but beforehand."
There were some boos at Trump's comments on Clinton being "crooked," and Dolan said that's because the audience at the Al Smith Dinner is a "good indicator."
"The audience has a good sensitivity, first of all something's funny, secondly, if somebody's a bomb," said Dolan. "But thirdly, if something is a little out of line. There were some boos last night. The audience more or less accurately, I think, reflects the sentiments that are going on."
The nature of the comedy at the dinner can be tough, he admitted.
"When you got a guy like John Kennedy or a fellow like Ronald Reagan, they bring the house down," Dolan said. "They are the butt of their own jokes. See in last night, the two candidates, the butt of their jokes was the other person.
"The characteristic of the evening is self-deprecating, humble humor. And that seems to be a tougher and tougher goal to achieve as was obvious last night. For all of us. "