Trump calls Christie a “fat pig” at a rally
Former President Donald Trump and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who are both running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, exchanged personal insults over their weight and food preferences in near-dueling campaign events in New Hampshire on Tuesday.
Trump, who was holding a rally in Windham, mocked Christie’s weight to his supporters, saying that he was “eating right now” and “can’t be bothered” to campaign. He then pretended to scold an audience member who shouted out that Christie was a “fat pig.”
“Sir, please do not call him a fat pig. That’s very disrespectful,” Trump said. “Don’t call him a fat pig. You can’t do that … because you’re not allowed to do that, and therefore we’re not gonna do it, OK?”
“We want to be very civil, right?” Trump added, with a smirk.
Trump also attacked Christie for being “morally responsible” for the January 6th Capitol riot, and for facing criminal charges in Ukraine for his role in the 2019 impeachment scandal.
Christie challenges Trump to say it to his face at a debate
Christie, who was holding a town hall in New London, responded to Trump’s remarks by challenging him to show up at the first Republican presidential debate later this month and say it to his face.
“If you had the guts you would show up to the debate and say it to my face,” Christie wrote on X, formerly Twitter, along with a video clip of Trump’s insult.
Christie also taunted Trump for being a “poor New York City billionaire” who was “so picked on” by the law and the media. He said that while he was walking around Ukraine to clear his name, Trump was “waltzing into a courtroom in Washington, D.C.” to face another indictment.
“How lucky are we that we have such a selfless, magnanimous leader,” Christie said sarcastically.
Christie also criticized Trump for retreating to the White House as his loyalists stormed the Capitol on January 6th, and for eating a “well-done hamburger” while the nation was in crisis.
The rivals have a history of friendship and feud
Trump and Christie were once close allies, with Christie being one of the first prominent Republicans to endorse Trump after dropping out of the presidential race himself in 2016. Christie also served as the head of Trump’s transition team and remained a member of his inner circle throughout his presidency.
However, their relationship soured after Christie became increasingly critical of Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, his refusal to concede the 2020 election, and his role in inciting the Capitol riot. Christie is now running against Trump for the Republican nomination, positioning himself as a moderate alternative who can appeal to independent voters.
The back-to-back events in New Hampshire on Tuesday could be the closest the rivals get to sharing a stage for some time, as Trump has indicated that he may skip the first debate hosted by Fox News on August 23rd.
