The Inner Circle opened its annual charity show in Manhattan Saturday with a touching tribute to Conor Skelding, an esteemed member of The Post’s Sunday team who lost his battle to pancreatic cancer almost exactly a year ago.
The entire audience inside the Ziegfeld Ballroom sang “Amazing Grace” in unison as images of Skelding and late Fox News Radio anchor Matt Napolitano were broadcasted across the room before launching into the yearly comic roast of the mayor, the media and political figures.
“I could not think of a better way to honor my husband on the anniversary of his death. It’s extremely heartwarming to see his dear colleagues pay tribute to him and his talent,” Skelding’s widow, Lizzy Trelstad, told The Post.
“I love him deeply, and miss him dearly.”
The Inner Circle kicked off the solemn montage by listing off Skelding’s many accomplishments, starting with his 2014 graduation from Columbia University with majors in English and American studies.
He had also been editor of the Blue and White, the Ivy League’s undergraduate magazine.
“Education was prized by Conor as a graduate of Columbia University, from which he entered into a career of journalism,” Inner Circle President James Ford said.
“Reporting at Politico, ReOrg Research and then at the New York Post. He married his longtime girlfriend and fiancée, Lizzie, just weeks before his passing.”
In addition to listing Skelding’s myriad of journalistic accomplishments, the Inner Circle made sure to include his success as the group’s youngest member.
During his time in the sketch comedy group, Skelding made a name for himself posing as a “dancing (former Ohio Gov. John) Kasich” and as Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, Ford said.
“And he proved that in portraying Justin Trudeau, he had a much better sense of humor, and better singing voice than the Canadian Prime Minister,” the president continued.
The montage then cut to a hilarious video of Skelding singing to Canada’s national anthem: “O Canada, Trump made us great again!”
The Inner Circle also paid tribute to Fox News Radio ancho Matt Napolitano, who died in December due to complications from lupus.
That’s when the audience turned on their phone flashlights and waved them in the air as they sang the popular funeral hymn.
“That’s what I’m talking about! Those lyrics also transpose into ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and ‘House of the Rising Sun.’ I’m totally serious. Think about it. Try it sometime,” Ford joked.
“We love you Conor and Matt!” he continued before transitioning the show into the parody spectacle it has grown famous as.
Mayor Eric Adams was among the many to take the stage Saturday night, and took the opportunity to poke jabs at the Big Apple’s newspapers.
He even target The Post, which he dubbed his “favorite hometown paper.”
“A lot of people have criticized them with sensationalism or sensationalized crime — What the hell? That’s my job!” he croaked.
