Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie made an unusual pitch to Republican primary voters — admitting he made a mistake in supporting Donald Trump in 2016.
Christie, 61, is known for his support behind Trump after dropping out of the GOP race eight years ago following his sixth-place finish in the New Hampshire primary.
“When I decided to support Donald Trump for president, I did it because he won, and I did it because I thought I could make him a better candidate and a better president,” Christie recounted in a new digital ad launched Thursday.
“Okay, I was wrong, I made a mistake.”
Beyond simply supporting Trump, Christie actively campaigned for the now 77-year-old man, often defending him amid various controversies, and running for vice president or attorney general.
Chris Christie admitted to doing something wrong on the spot to voters. AlexThomp/X
During the 2016 and 2020 campaigns, Christie helped prepare Trump for debates against Democrats Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden.
But now, the New Jersey native has rebranded himself as a critic of the 45th president’s reforms, often accusing his opponents of not having the guts to mount an attack on the Republican Party’s most popular figure.
Christie’s campaign has announced a seven-figure ad buy to cover the airwaves in New Hampshire ahead of the Jan. 23 primary, tapping into a war chest it has been hoarding for some time.
New: Christie up with new NH digital ad about his “mistake” supporting Trump in 2016
“I did it because he won, and I did it because I thought I could make him a better candidate and a better president. I was wrong. I made a mistake.” pic.twitter.com/gTPjW61LZP
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) January 4, 2024
Donald Trump is the clear 2024 Republican front-runner. Reuters
Christie has taken a lot of money in the Granite State, where he polled in third place, according to the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate.
In recent weeks, he has stepped up his rhetoric against former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who has the support of popular Republican Gov. Chris Sununu and who polls show is second behind Trump in New Hampshire.
Christie has also pushed a chorus of anti-Trump Republicans to quit and clear a path to Haley.
Nikki Haley has fired back at Chris Christie, saying he is too obsessed with Donald Trump. AP Chris Christie has ruled out voting for Donald Trump again. Getty Images
“Some people say I should get out of this race. Really?” said the former governor elsewhere recently.
“I’m the only one who says Donald Trump is a liar.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
