During the second Republican presidential debate at the Reagan Library in California, the audience audibly expressed their displeasure as former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie attacked former President Donald Trump for not participating in the event.
Christie had been responding to a question about addressing crime and the use of U.S. attorneys to prosecute criminals in Democrat-led cities when he shifted his focus to Trump. “And Donald Trump should be here to answer for that, but he’s not,” Christie stated, turning toward the camera.
“I want to look into the camera right now and tell ya’, Donald, I know you’re watching. You can’t help yourself,” Christie declared, eliciting groans from the crowd. “And you’re not here tonight not because of polls, and not because of your indictments; you’re not here tonight because you’re afraid of being on this stage and defending your record,” he continued.
“You’re avoiding these things. And let me tell ya’ what’s gonna happen; you keep doing that, nobody up here is gonna call you Donald Trump anymore, we’re gonna call you Donald Duck,” Christie said before pausing, expecting cheers. However, the reaction was predominantly groans and boos.
In reality, Trump was not watching the debate as he was addressing autoworkers at Drake Enterprises in Michigan.
Christie, once a Trump ally who led his presidential transition team in 2016, has now become a vocal critic of the former president and has made his opposition a central theme of his campaign. He had previously faced boos at the first 2024 GOP presidential debate last month when he criticized Trump.
“Someone has got to stop normalizing this conduct,” Christie stated. “It is beneath the office of the President of the United States.”
“Whether or not you believe that the criminal charges are right or wrong, the conduct is beneath the office of the President of the United States,” he continued, drawing some cheers but more boos. He acknowledged the feedback, noting that Americans have a First Amendment right to express their disapproval. “This is the great thing about this country; booing is allowed, but it does not change the truth.”
The crowd’s boos grew so loud that Christie was forced to pause while debate moderator Bret Baier urged them to stop.
