ORLANDO, FL – Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie encountered a barrage of boos during his address at the Florida Freedom Summit, where he criticized former President Donald Trump. The crowd’s reaction underscores the challenges Christie faces within his own party as he vies for the presidential nomination, currently polling at 3%.
At the conservative gathering on Saturday, Christie’s attempt to distance himself from Trump was met with vocal disapproval, echoing a similar response to former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson’s remarks earlier in the day. Hutchinson had suggested Trump might be found guilty of a felony offense.
“Now look, every one of those boos, everyone one of those cat calls, everyone one of those yells will not … solve one problem we face in this country,” Christie said. “Your anger against the truth is reprehensible.”
Christie, making his second presidential bid after an early withdrawal in the 2016 race, stood his ground amidst the heckling. He confronted the hecklers, suggesting their jeers did not contribute to solving the nation’s issues.
“When you think about the problems that our country and this world is facing, when you think about that, this type of pettiness … is beneath … the process of electing a president,” the former governor, polling at 2-3% in most national polls, told the audience.
This event highlights the deep divisions within the Republican Party and the significant influence Trump continues to wield among its base. Christie’s low polling numbers contrast sharply with the robust support for Trump, indicating a tough road ahead for his campaign.
Trump, after hearing the news, criticized Christie.
“I heard he got booed off the stage today,” Trump said. “What’s he doing? He’s got like 1%. What’s it all about? He’s just doing it because I didn’t give him a job in the administration.”