(FixThisNation.com) – Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie has been increasingly vocal in his criticism of former President Trump, recently taking aim at Trump’s alleged diversion of donations towards a fund earmarked for his legal fees. In a Politico interview, Christie didn’t hold back, labeling Trump as “the cheapest S.O.B. I’ve ever met in my life.” According to Christie, Trump has a knack for spending other people’s money, a practice he believes extends to the former president’s handling of campaign funds.
Reports have emerged suggesting that Trump’s Save America PAC allocated a substantial sum, estimated at $3 million, to cover legal expenses incurred by Trump himself. Furthermore, the PAC reportedly used its funds to pay the legal fees of witnesses involved in a classified documents case. The Washington Post even revealed that the legal firm retained by Trump’s PAC contributed over $120,000 to the organization. For Christie, the diversion of these funds to Trump’s personal legal matters rather than a conventional campaign account is indicative of a deceptive pattern consistent with the former president’s behavior.
Christie passionately called upon Trump to take a pledge and direct his campaign to cease spending any public money on his legal fees. Given Trump’s considerable wealth, Christie argued that it is only fitting for him to cover his legal expenses personally rather than rely on public contributions. Christie went on to express his disappointment in Trump, highlighting the fact that hardworking men and women who believed in Trump and wished to see him elected president were unwittingly contributing funds that were ultimately being used to settle Trump’s legal matters. Christie emphasized that this misuse of campaign funds is not only ethically questionable but also demonstrates a lack of accountability on the part of the former president.
In the past, Christie and Trump had an alliance during the 2020 campaign, but their relationship has deteriorated significantly since then. Personal insults have been traded between the two, with Trump mocking Christie’s weight and Christie firing back in response. However, Christie’s criticisms extend beyond personal jabs. Earlier this month, he publicly criticized Trump for his federal indictment, which involves 37 charges related to mishandling classified information. This indictment has undoubtedly fueled Christie’s determination to position himself as the antithesis to Trump within the crowded GOP primary field.
Christie officially entered the race for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination in early June, though his late start puts him at a disadvantage compared to the already substantial field of candidates. Focusing his campaign efforts in the early primary state of New Hampshire, Christie hopes to gain traction among voters. Recent polls from the state place him in third position, trailing behind the popularity of Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. A poll conducted by the New Hampshire Journal this month indicated that Christie currently holds 9 percent support, while Trump commands a formidable 47 percent, and DeSantis stands at 13 percent.
As the race for the Republican nomination intensifies, Christie’s unabashed criticism of Trump serves as a defining characteristic of his campaign. By positioning himself as the anti-Trump candidate, Christie hopes to appeal to Republican voters seeking an alternative to the former president’s influence and policies. Only time will tell if his strategy will resonate with voters, but one thing is clear: Christie is determined to challenge Trump’s dominance within the GOP and establish his own political identity in the process.
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