In a revealing hot mic incident before his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race in Windham, N.H., Chris Christie was heard candidly assessing his GOP rivals. Christie remarked that Nikki Haley, the ex-governor of South Carolina, would “get smoked” in the primaries, criticizing the amount spent by her campaign on television advertisements. This came just before Christie’s announcement to suspend his campaign, a decision he justified by lack of a viable path to victory and his willingness to step aside for candidates opposing Donald Trump.
While Christie has not endorsed any candidate yet, his exit is seen as potentially beneficial to Haley in New Hampshire. However, the hot mic comments cast doubt on any immediate support. Additionally, Christie’s description of a “petrified” Ron DeSantis, the Governor of Florida, and his subsequent conversation with DeSantis, have added to the intrigue. DeSantis later acknowledged Christie’s comments about Haley on social media but ignored the remarks about himself.
Christie’s campaign, his second presidential bid after 2016, has been marked by direct criticism of Trump and other GOP candidates, focusing particularly on Trump’s suitability for office. In the past, he defended Haley against attacks but maintained his distinct stance on various issues. His departure from the race underscores the volatile dynamics within the Republican field, where direct confrontations and behind-the-scenes discussions continue to shape the narrative.
