Chris Christie Vows to Follow Trump if Former President Skips GOP Debates

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has made a bold commitment, stating that if former President Donald Trump chooses not to participate in future Republican debates, he will adjust his campaign schedule to arrange his own showdown with the ex-president.

Christie, a prominent contender among Republican presidential hopefuls, has been a vocal critic of Trump’s decision to abstain from GOP primary debates. Trump notably skipped the initial Republican debate last month and is expected to be absent from the upcoming second debate, scheduled to be held later this month at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in Simi Valley, California.

In an interview with Fox News’ “MediaBuzz” host Howard Kurtz, Christie was questioned about whether Trump’s absence disrupted his strategy of engaging directly with him on the debate stage. Christie responded, “I’m sure he’s not coming to the Reagan debate. We’ll give him another chance in Alabama,” alluding to the as-yet-unscheduled third GOP debate expected later this year.

However, Christie made a resolute declaration, asserting, “But if he doesn’t come there, then I’m going to follow him around the country. Wherever he goes, I’ll go. And we’ll wind up talking to each other one way or another.”

When asked if he would modify his presidential campaign’s schedule to align with Trump’s movements, Christie emphatically affirmed, “You bet.”

Christie has consistently criticized Trump for bypassing and threatening to skip Republican events, using terms such as “crybaby” and “loser” to describe the former president’s actions. In defense of his decision, Trump has argued that his dominant position in Republican polls makes it unnecessary to provide his rivals with opportunities to challenge him in person. The clash between these two prominent figures within the Republican party continues to unfold, promising to be a significant aspect of the 2024 presidential campaign.