The Republican former Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie has called on outgoing President Donald Trump to accept the reality of his defeat in the 2020 presidential election to President-elect Joe Biden, warning against the continuation of Trump's efforts to subvert the election results.
With Trump's defeat only reinforced by dozens of court cases, recounts, and the nationwide certification of electoral votes, a Biden presidency is all the more imminent, and some Republicans are looking to 2024.
Christie is among them.
In a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt earlier this week, Christie was asked if he'd rule out a presidential run in 2024, even if Trump decides to run again.
He responded:
"I would not. No. I would not rule it out, Hugh."
Christie previously ran against Trump in the crowded GOP primary for the 2016 election, but unlike some candidates in that race—such as businesswoman Carly Fiorina and former Ohio Governor John Kasich—Christie didn't denounce Trump after he won the Republican nomination and ascended to the presidency.
In fact, Christie worked not only to elect Trump, but to make his presidency more powerful. Christie was appointed the head of Trump's transition team and coached Trump ahead of his disastrous first presidential debate against President-elect Biden this past September.
In an interview this week, MSNBC anchor Nicolle Wallace took Christie to task for his fealty to Trump and the possible agenda for a run in 2024.
Watch below.
Nicole Wallace deserves some kind of award for asking Chris Christie this question.
pic.twitter.com/T6nPDqyBPM
— David Hoffman (@atdavidhoffman) December 23, 2020
Wallace said:
"I don't remember you coming out and forcefully pushing back against Donald Trump's comments on the 'Access Hollywood' tape. You didn't defend him, but you didn't withdraw your support. I didn't hear you after he called African nations 'bleep-hole nations.' I didn't hear you distance yourself from this president at any point until the target for his ire and lawlessness was the democracy you haven't ruled out leading in four years."
She then asked:
"Are you simply making a political calculation that you can clean the Trump stink off you faster than [Republican Florida Senator] Marco Rubio or some of the other competitors?"
A flustered Christie responded, insisting he'd called out Trump a sufficient number of times during his presidency:
"Not at all Nicolle, and in fact, at the end of it, I made a decision back in 2016 that the choice between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton was one where I was with Donald Trump. I don't regret that choice, I still don't regret it today. ... But what I am saying is that, you know, I evaluate these things one at a time. You picked places of things where I haven't spoken out. And there have been any number of things where I have spoken out."
People applauded Wallace's questioning.
Thank you - @NicolleDWallace .
I was hoping you would go there - and you did 🎇💙
— Cathy Coleman (@CathyJoeGPT) December 23, 2020
I had to watch it twice so I could enjoy his face😂
— Cyndi Borowski💙🇺🇲 (@BorowskiCyndi) December 22, 2020
Loved how she dragged Christie. NJ had eight years of a headache with him in charge. So glad he's gone as Governor. Don't want him as President
— Kalind Patel (@NYCKNP) December 22, 2020
“Clean the stink off of you"?!What an AWESOME example of holding someone accountable to their actions. THIS is why I love Nicolle!! She's at the top of her craft. Someone box up that clip and send it on over to the Museum of Broadcast Communications, it deserves a place of honor!
— 🏃Martin🏃♂️ (@Martois1) December 22, 2020
She is brilliant and more lesser talented, wannabe reporters need to take her lead and call out these hypocrites, just like that.
Good on her👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Do not forget what any of them have done!
— Al Prior (@AlrantAl) December 23, 2020
Thank you @NicolleDWallace! pic.twitter.com/onbVQ9F0K3
— Edgar 306 Poe (@poedoepie) December 22, 2020
Americans across the country are opposed to the idea of Christie running for President again.
Watching @NicolleDWallace literally drag Chris Christie was awesome. He doesn't get to rehabilitate himself. He is corrupt, he lied about Coronavirus, he was a loyal MAGA lunatic and him getting sick was an opportunity to pretend he had a change of heart. He can shove it.
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) December 22, 2020
If you think Christie has a snowball's chance in hell of winning a presidential election, I hear there's a [George Washington] bridge for sale in NJ...#ChrisChristie pic.twitter.com/7bgSLFiIzl
— Just Joan Romancing the Stone (@justjoanstone) December 22, 2020
.@GovChristie
You're not coming back in 2024.
The research and video clips we have collected and alphabetized on you are insanely bad.
You rode with Trump.
You are Trump forever.
Stick to talk shows.
You are a basically a larger version of Rick Santorum for life. pic.twitter.com/Q0OOAAzN0C
— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) December 22, 2020
Only time will tell how effective Christie's attempts at rebranding will be.
