The second Republican primary debate is still upcoming. But that hasn’t stopped candidates from throwing punches.
And this Republican candidate has come to blows with Donald Trump.
Former President Trump is by far the leader in the polls for the Republican nomination for President.
According to FiveThirtyEight, Trump is polling at 53% while Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is in a distant second at 15.6%.
Further behind in the polls is former New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie, who’s sitting at 3.5%.
Despite posing little to no threat to him, Donald Trump still finds it necessary to go after Christie.
And during a recent appearance on Newsmax TV’s “The Balance,” the former Governor was asked about these attacks.
“Donald Trump was on with Hugh Hewitt, a radio host, and took some shots at you. We have a little quote box up there. I think he called you a crazy lunatic” host Eric Bolling said.
At first, Christie responded with sympathy, saying, “I feel bad for Donald. I really do. You know, he’s on there saying that I’m not very smart, that I’m very deranged.”
“Look, he didn’t think that, Eric, in 2018 when he offered me White House chief of staff. He didn’t think that in 2016 when he offered – when he made me chairman of his transition.”
Christie went on about other positions he was offered by Trump, including Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of Labor.
But then, he decided to make a wild accusation in an attempt to attack Donald Trump.
“It’s sad. He’s under a lot of stress and a lot of pressure, and saying these things makes me really concerned for his mental health,” Christie said.
Ever since Trump left office, the former Governor has become fervently Never-Trump.
When asked by Axios if he’d support Trump as the 2024 nominee, Christie was quick to say no.
“I can’t help him. No way. Look, I just can’t. When you have the Jan. 6 choir at a rally and you show video of it – I just don’t think that person is appropriate for the presidency.”
Chris Christie echoed these comments with Eric Bolling, saying, “So, look. I disagree with the things that Donald Trump did in the 2020 election. I disagree with the way he’s conducted himself after the fact.”
“I think it’s bad for the country. I think it’s beneath the office he held.”
It’s a long shot if Christie is to become the Republican nominee.
But riling up Trump and his base by questioning his mental health, will only make things more difficult for the former Governor.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
