Chris Christie wants to compete in the Republican primaries for the presidential election. He is one of Donald Trump's fiercest critics.
Washington – Donald Trump must face a new competitor in the race for the White House. Chris Christie, former governor of the US state of New Jersey, wants to make his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination public next week, according to several US media reports. The 60-year-old is no stranger, especially to Trump – and above all not a friend.
Battle for the White House: Former Governor Chris Christie wants to compete against Trump
Christie had already run in the primaries for the 2016 presidential election, but withdrew his candidacy after poor results in the 2016 presidential election. At that time, he joined the eventual primary winner Trump and, after his victory in November <>, temporarily led the transition team that was supposed to prepare for the change of power. Christie continued to support Trump, and he was also temporarily in talks for a ministerial office. In the end, however, this was never to happen. To this day, it is suspected that one reason for this is the "Brigdegate" affair, which Christie hangs over from his time as governor.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie reportedly wants to enter the race for the White House. © Charles Krupa/AP
A former confidant of Trump became one of his fiercest critics. After years of support, Christie distanced himself more and more disappointed from Trump from 2019 onwards, after he was not satisfied with any of Trump's offered positions, according to the Washington Post, as well as complaining about a lack of contact with his then-boyfriend. The hostility intensified over the years. Just recently, he described the ex-president as a "coward" and "puppet" of Russian President Vladimir Putin because of his stance on the Ukraine war.
Donald Trump's ex-confidant Christie wants to become the new US president - Does he have a chance?
"Christie, perhaps more than any other Republican politician, has a relationship with Trump that has many facets," wrote the Washington Post in May about the 60-year-old, who is now becoming the ex-president's direct rival in the Republican primary. Trump had already announced last November that he wanted to run again in the 2024 presidential election.
Republican Chris Christie during a baseball game in February. © IMAGO/Rich Storry
The Republican field of candidates has now grown significantly. Probably the most dangerous intra-party Trump rival is probably Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who made his candidacy official last week. Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, African-American Senator Tim Scott and former Governor of the southern state of Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson, also want to compete in the primary. Even Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence is now considering a candidacy. Among all candidates, Trump is far ahead in internal party polls. (nz/dpa/afp)
