Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie faced backlash after criticizing former President Donald Trump at a conservative conference last week. During his remarks at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s conference in Washington, D.C., Christie stated that Trump had “let us down,” which drew boos from the predominantly pro-Trump crowd.
When asked about the negative reaction by ABC’s “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl, Christie responded that he expected the boos from a Trump-supporting audience. He emphasized the importance of character in a president, stating that it is the single most important element because presidents cannot predict every issue that will come across their desk.
Christie, who has made criticizing Trump a central theme of his campaign, also took aim at Trump’s remarks at the conference. He criticized Trump for claiming that he was indicted for the people, calling the argument “absurd.” Trump was indicted earlier this month for allegedly mishandling classified documents after his term in the White House. He also faced indictment earlier this year in a hush money case in New York state.
Referring to Trump as a “three-time loser,” Christie highlighted Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election and Democratic victories in the 2018 and 2020 congressional and gubernatorial elections. He expressed concern about the future of the Republican Party, stating that they cannot afford to lose a fourth time. Christie criticized President Joe Biden and expressed his opposition to the possibility of Vice President Kamala Harris assuming the presidency.
A recent NBC News poll revealed that 51% of Republican primary voters chose Trump as their first choice for the GOP nomination. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis received 22% support, former Vice President Mike Pence received 7% support, and Christie received 5%.
USA TODAY has reached out to Trump for comment on Christie’s remarks.
What were the main points of criticism that Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie leveled against former President Donald Trump at the conservative conference?
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie faced fierce criticism after boldly taking a stand against former President Donald Trump at a conservative conference last week. Speaking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s conference in Washington, D.C., Christie openly stated that Trump had “let us down,” sparking boos from the predominantly pro-Trump crowd.
When questioned about the negative reaction on ABC’s “This Week” with Jonathan Karl, Christie remained unfazed, anticipating such a response from a Trump-supporting audience. He reiterated the significance of character in a president, emphasizing that it is the single most crucial factor as presidents cannot predict every issue they will face.
For Christie, criticizing Trump has become a focal point of his campaign, and he did not hold back at the conference. He criticized Trump’s assertion that he was indicted for the people, deeming the argument “absurd.” Trump has faced recent indictments for allegedly mishandling classified documents after leaving office, as well as in a hush money case in New York earlier this year.
Labeling Trump a “three-time loser,” Christie drew attention to Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election and the Democratic victories in the 2018 and 2020 congressional and gubernatorial elections. Expressing concern for the future of the Republican Party, Christie cautioned against losing for a fourth time. He also criticized President Joe Biden and voiced opposition to the idea of Vice President Kamala Harris assuming the presidency.
According to a recent NBC News poll, 51% of Republican primary voters still view Trump as their top choice for the GOP nomination. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis received 22% support, former Vice President Mike Pence garnered 7%, and Christie trailed with 5%.
USA TODAY has reached out to Trump for his response to Christie’s remarks, awaiting his comment.
It’s not surprising that Chris Christie is facing backlash for criticizing Trump at a conservative conference. Loyalty to the former president still runs deep within the Republican Party, and any dissenting voices are met with strong opposition.