At a press conference in Fort Worth, Texas, former 2016 candidate and current New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has endorsed Donald Trump for president. Christie described Trump as a man who keeps his promises, a strong leader, and someone who is rewriting the political playbook that isn’t dependent on the status quo. He called the billionaire the best person to beat Hillary Clinton in the general, and will do everything he can to help Donald Trump.
In closing, Christie said he’s happy to be o the Trump team.
Needless to say, this endorsement is a bit odd:
"Desperate people do desperate things." -- Chris Christie, in a moment of pure irony.
— David Rutz (@DavidRutz) February 26, 2016
Christie called Trump's Muslim immigrant ban "ridiculous."
— Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) February 26, 2016
Well, looks like Chris Christie is actually the liberal everyone accused him of being.
— Conrad Close (@conradclose) February 26, 2016
Gov. Christie once championed a Muslim Supreme Court justice. Now backing man who wants to ban Muslims from U.S. What a loser.
— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) February 26, 2016
Chris Christie: Donald Trump doesn't have the 'temperament' to be president https://t.co/hGdgp1mgro via @bi_politics
— Colin Campbell (@BKcolin) February 26, 2016
Note: Chris Christie is very much on the record *against* building a wall on the US-Mexico border
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) February 26, 2016
We'll see if this story overtakes Trump's shellacking during last night's debate. If it does, it once again proves that he masters the media, which he's done since the beginning of his candidacy.
UPDATE: CNN's Jake Tapper offers reasons for Christie endorsement.
source close to Christie says decision came down to 1) inevitability -- Trump will be the nominee, he believes, time to rally around him 1/3
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 26, 2016
2) Christie believes Trump will mount the strongest challenge to Hillary Clinton 3) Christie thinks Cruz too ideologically rigid 2/3
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 26, 2016
4) Christie's disdain toward Rubio in NH debate as callow is how he legitimately feels about him 3/3
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 26, 2016