In a recent interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie scoffed at the possibility of a second term for former President Donald Trump. Christie, who has been a vocal critic of Trump since the January 6th Capitol insurrection, argued that Trump “never finishes what he starts” and would be surrounded by a “clowns and rogues gallery” in a second term.
Christie pointed to Trump’s failure to complete key promises from his first term, such as building a wall across the entire border with Mexico, balancing the budget, and bringing peace to the Middle East. He also noted that many of Trump’s former aides have been indicted or convicted of crimes, and that Trump himself is facing multiple criminal investigations.
Christie’s assessment of Trump’s potential second term is largely in line with that of other Republican critics of the former president. These critics argue that Trump is too divisive and erratic to be an effective president, and that he would continue to damage the country’s reputation abroad and deepen the divisions within the Republican Party.
However, Trump remains the most popular figure in the Republican Party, and he is widely expected to announce a run for president in 2024. If he does so, he will be a formidable opponent for any other Republican candidate.
Implications for the 2024 Republican Primary
Christie’s criticism of Trump is likely to have a mixed impact on the 2024 Republican primary. On the one hand, it may help to energize Trump’s base of supporters, who see him as a victim of a witch hunt by the Democrats and the media. On the other hand, it may also give other Republican candidates who are more critical of Trump some political cover to challenge him.
It is still too early to say whether Christie’s criticism of Trump will have a significant impact on the 2024 Republican primary. However, it is clear that he is not afraid to take on the former president, and that he is willing to speak out against what he sees as Trump’s failures and shortcomings.
Conclusion
Chris Christie’s criticism of Donald Trump is a sign of the deep divisions within the Republican Party. Christie is one of a number of Republican leaders who have become increasingly critical of Trump in recent years, and his comments are likely to further fuel the debate about whether or not Trump should be the Republican nominee in 2024.
