Trump and Clinton trade jokes and jabs at charity dinner

NEW YORK (KTVU) - One night after their bitter debate where Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton refused to shake hands, the rivals shared the stage at New York's Waldorf Astoria, for the Al Smith Catholic Charity fundraising dinner, a longtime tradition intended to bring presidential candidates together for an evening of laughter, speeches, and self-deprecating humor following the final debate.

At first, both Trump and Clinton seemed to savor the spirit of the evening.

Trump spoke first, delivering jokes that generated laughs from Clinton.

"Hillary accidentally bumped into me and she very civilly said 'Pardon me,'" Trump said as Clinton laughed with the crowd, "And I very politely replied, 'Let me talk to you about that after I get into office.'"

On Clinton's speaking engagements, "This is the first time ever, that Hillary is sitting down and talking to major corporate leaders and not getting paid for it," Trump said.

And on his calling Clinton a "nasty woman" at the debate, Trump said, "After listening to Hillary rattle on and on and on...I don’t think so badly about Rosie O'Donnell anymore."

Trump also joked about a common theme of his campaign, accusing the media of bias.

"I really have to say the media is more biased this year than ever before. You want the proof? Michelle Obama gives a speech, and everyone loves it. It’s fantastic. They think she’s absolutely great. My wife, Melania, gives the exact same speech, and people get on her case! And I don’t get it," Trump said, asking his wife to stand.

But then, the digs went deeper echoing the divisive debate.

"Hillary believes it's vital to deceive the people by having one public policy and a totally different policy in private," Trump said, adding later, "Here she is in public pretending not to hate Catholics."

Gentle jabs turned sour, Clinton lost her laugh, and the crowd at times groaned and booed both candidates' jokes that seemed to cross the line of cordiality.

When the table was turned, Clinton also started off on a softer note and then let loose.

"It didn't take a village to write these jokes," Clinton said.

"He actually sent a car to bring me here tonight. Actually it was a hearse," she said.

"I will be the healthiest and youngest woman ever to serve as President," she added referring to Trump's concerns about her health.

"Donald if any time you don't like what I'm saying feel free to stand up and shout "wrong" while I'm talking."

And another jab, "After listening to your speech tonight I look forward to Mike Pence deny that you ever gave it," Clinton said referring to times Trump's running mate has contradicted Trump on the campaign trail.

"It's amazing that I'm up here after Donald, because I didn't think he'd be okay with a peaceful transition of power."

On the campaign trail in Ohio Thursday, Trump refused to back down from his implication the U.S. election results might be rigged.

"Of course I would accept a clear election result but I would also reserve my right to contest or file a legal challenge," Trump said to the cheers of the crowd.

"He is not a person that apologies," said political analyst Brian Sobel.

Sobel said with Trump's support slipping in some areas, he needs to refocus his message from a rigged election to other issues in key states, if he hopes to win.

"He has got to look at Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Nevada and all these states that may be in play," Sobel said.

In the end, Trump and Clinton both praised the charity for helping children.

They shook hands, briefly.

But even the charitable cause, in the end, couldn't overcome the contentiousness of this 2016 campaign.