Republican presidential candidate and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has intensified his criticism of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley for not vigorously targeting former President Donald Trump in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Christie, who aims to be the last challenger standing against Trump, claims that DeSantis and Haley are scared to make a case against the faraway front-runner.
Christie’s comments came during a digital interview on the campaign trail in New Hampshire, where he is concentrating most of his time and resources. Despite trailing behind Trump and Haley in the polls, Christie remains confident in his chances and vows to confront Trump if given the opportunity.
The former New Jersey governor, who endorsed Trump in 2016 but later became one of his harshest critics, believes that Trump does not want to face him on stage. Christie highlighted his history of challenging Trump and argued that he is the candidate who can take on the former president in a direct and forceful manner.
In a bid to gain support, Christie teamed up with Republican Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, who is also an outspoken Trump critic. Sununu, who plans to make an endorsement in the GOP nomination race, is considering Haley, DeSantis, or Christie as potential candidates to stand against Trump.
When asked about his chances in the New Hampshire primary, Christie stated that he would assess his performance and withdraw from the race if he does not believe he has done well enough. However, he expressed confidence in his campaign and his belief that he will be the last candidate standing against Trump, taking the fight all the way to the convention.
Christie also made headlines by predicting that Trump will be convicted of federal crimes related to interference in the election process later this spring. Despite Trump’s ongoing legal challenges, his indictments have not deterred his support among Republican voters.
In a separate note, Christie mentioned his friendship with moderate Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. While they remain close, Christie dismissed the possibility of teaming up with Manchin in a third-party presidential bid. He reiterated his commitment to winning the Republican nomination as he believes it offers him the best chance of success.
The 2024 campaign trail continues to evolve, and Christie’s criticism of DeSantis and Haley for their reluctance to target Trump adds a fresh perspective to the GOP race. Stay updated with the latest news and exclusive interviews from the campaign trail through our Digital election hub.
