Former President Donald Trump and Chris Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, have had a complex and evolving relationship over the years.
Here are some key points that highlight their interactions:
- Early Support: Chris Christie initially showed support for Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign. After suspending his own presidential bid, Christie endorsed Trump and became one of his prominent surrogates.
- Transition Team and Advisor: Following Trump’s victory in the 2016 election, Chris Christie was appointed to lead Trump’s transition team. However, he was later replaced by Vice President-elect Mike Pence as the head of the transition team, reportedly due to internal disagreements.
- Bridgegate Scandal: One notable event that strained the relationship between Trump and Christie was the Bridgegate scandal. In 2013, Christie was involved in a controversy where several lanes of the George Washington Bridge were closed, causing massive traffic congestion. Christie denied any involvement, but the incident tarnished his reputation. Trump, however, distanced himself from the scandal and did not offer strong support to Christie during that time.
- Presidential Campaign Rivalry: In the 2016 Republican primary, both Trump and Christie were competing for the party’s presidential nomination. During the campaign, they occasionally clashed on various issues and criticized each other. Christie ended his campaign and later endorsed Trump, becoming a vocal supporter.
- Relationship During Trump’s Presidency: Christie did not hold a formal role in the Trump administration but maintained a friendly relationship with the president. He occasionally offered advice and counsel to Trump, particularly on legal matters, given his background as a former U.S. attorney.
- Role in the Trump Impeachment: In 2019, during the impeachment proceedings against President Trump, Chris Christie publicly criticized Trump’s conduct as “impeachable.” He expressed disapproval of the president’s interactions with Ukraine but stopped short of advocating for his removal from office.
It’s important to note that the dynamics between Donald Trump and Chris Christie, like any political relationship, can be influenced by various factors and usually change over time.
Chris Christie’s Last Presidential Run
Chris Christie’s last Presidential run was started on September 2021.
Here are the details:
- 2016 Presidential Campaign: Chris Christie ran for the Republican Party’s nomination for the 2016 presidential election. He officially announced his candidacy in June 2015, positioning himself as a pragmatic and experienced leader. Christie’s campaign emphasized his record as the governor of New Jersey, focusing on his achievements in fiscal management, education reform, and handling crises like Hurricane Sandy.
- Primary Performance: Christie’s campaign struggled to gain significant traction in a crowded field of Republican candidates. Despite his prior political successes and reputation as a charismatic speaker, he faced challenges in breaking through and gaining widespread support. Christie’s candidacy gained attention during the early stages of the primary race, particularly after a strong debate performance in New Hampshire, where he confronted fellow candidate Marco Rubio. However, he ultimately failed to build sufficient momentum to emerge as a frontrunner.
- Suspension of Campaign: Following the New Hampshire primary in February 2016, where Christie finished in sixth place, he suspended his campaign. With limited electoral success and a lack of significant support, he decided to withdraw from the race and endorsed Donald Trump, becoming one of his most prominent supporters during the general election.
Since the 2016 presidential campaign, Chris Christie has now launched his second run for President.
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