Topline
Former New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie claimed in an interview on Friday that former President Donald Trump aspires to be “Putin in America,” as tensions flare between the 2024 GOP candidates who had once been allies, and as Trump argues he would have ended Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had he been re-elected in 2020.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie slammed former President Donald Trump for admiring … [+]
Key Facts
Christie, who announced his 2024 presidential bid earlier this month, told the Financial Times he believes Trump “admires strongmen,” and “wouldn’t care less” about a decision to “give Ukraine to the Russians.”
Trump’s relationship with Christie, who had once been a close political ally and supporter, has crumbled in recent years, following Trump’s loss in the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol insurrection, with Christie arguing Trump “incited” the deadly riots by repeatedly denying the results of the election.
In November, Christie blamed Trump for poor GOP performance at the midterm elections, and in his presidential campaign announcement earlier this month labeled Trump a “bitter, angry” and “self-consumed, self-serving mirror hog,” comparing him to Harry Potter villain Voldemort.
Contra
Trump has taken his fair share of jabs at Christie, calling him a “RINO” (Republican in name only) after Christie expressed his support last year for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) in his primary campaign for re-election against Trump-endorsed former Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.)—Christie later mocked Trump by saying the “R” in “RINO” stands for “re-elected”). Trump has also mocked Christie’s weight, posting a video on Truth Social of the former governor at a buffet with a plate of food, and writing: “Does [Christie] have a psychological problem with SIZE?” Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr. earlier this month tweeted a photo of Christie’s name embedded on the Krispy Kreme logo.
Chief Critic
Trump, who hosted Putin at the White House and kept private a series of calls with Putin during his presidency, has received criticism for lauding the Russian president, including from members of his party. At a CNN town hall event earlier this month, Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence slammed the former president for calling Putin a “genius,” saying: “I know the difference between a genius and a war criminal.”
Further Reading
GOP Sen. Rick Scott Weighs Presidential Run, Report Says: Here’s The Full 2024 Primary List (Forbes)
Chris Christie Applauded For Trump Digs—Here Are The Other GOP Leaders Who Have Strayed From Trump After Midterm Losses (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/06/30/chris-christie-trump-wishes-he-was-putin-in-america/