Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie appeared on a hot mic on the campaign trail with Donald Trump, just before Christie withdrew from the race in a move widely seen as a boost to Haley's campaign. Nikki Haley could be heard predicting, “I'm going to get smoked.''
Christie's heated comments on the microphone were quickly touted by the clear Republican front-runner, Trump, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The parties have been fighting to slow Haley's momentum in the race ahead of Monday's Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary later this month.
“So she's spent like $68 million so far on TV alone — $68 million so far — $59 million on DeSantis, and we've spent $12. [million]. I mean, who's punching above their weight and who's getting a return on their investment, right?'' Christie can be heard saying on the audio. “And she's going to smoke. And you and I both know that. She's not going to do that.”
It's unclear who Christie was talking to, but the remarks were heard on a livestream posted by the former New Jersey governor's campaign shortly before he announced on stage in New Hampshire that he was ending his bid for president.
On the livestream, Christie can be heard saying DeSantis “called me petrified” before the audio later cut out.
The Hill has reached out to Christie's and Haley's camp for comment.
DeSantis: “Nikki Haley agrees with Christie's idea that she's 'smoke''' Posted in Xpreviously on Twitter, shortly after Hot Mic comments appeared.
President Trump also praised Christie's comments about Haley in a post on social media platforms, calling them “very true statements.”
Ms. Christie further criticized Ms. Haley in a phone call with Ms. DeSantis early Wednesday, according to a person familiar with the conversation.
Mr. DeSantis said in the call that he valued Mr. Christie's role in the campaign, regardless of what the former New Jersey governor chose to do with his campaign, the people said.That conversation was NBC News first reported.
Immediately after Mike's heated comments, Mr. Christie appeared on stage in Windham, New Hampshire, and told his supporters that he was suspending his campaign.
In his comments broadcast live on cable television, Mr. Christie urged his Republican rivals, who are still in the race, to denounce Mr. Trump more forcefully and to continue working to defeat him. I swore that I would.
“I will never allow Donald Trump to become president of the United States again,” Christie said. “We have to decide now, and we have to decide who we want within the next 10 months. No,” he added. To exist as a country. ”
The former Republican governor had been under increasing pressure to drop out of the race as the Republican Party rapidly coalesced around an alternative to Trump in the primaries. Christie ended her bid but did not endorse either Haley or DeSantis.
Christie is trailing behind Trump and Haley in New Hampshire, which was a major campaign focus during the election, and Christie's withdrawal could give Haley momentum in the Granite State. It is expected that it will be given. Polls show she faces an uphill climb against Trump, even though the race is closer than other early races in the state.
The upheaval in the Republican primary came hours before Haley and DeSantis faced off in a debate hosted by CNN. Trump is scheduled to appear in his own town hall on Fox News.
In a statement Wednesday night, Ms. Haley praised Ms. Christie for waging a “fierce campaign,” without mentioning her fiery remarks on the microphone.
“Chris Christie and I have been friends for many years,” she said.
“Voters have a clear choice in this election: the chaos and drama of the past or a new generation of conservative leaders,” Haley added. “I will fight for every vote so that together we can build a strong and proud America.”
Updated: 7:17 p.m.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
