TRENTON, NJ – It’s all a show folks, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has just admitted it.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy described a surprising camaraderie with former President Donald Trump, revealing that the two men and their families share a close friendship despite their contrasting public personas.
Last week, Murphy said he will fight Donald Trump ‘to the death’ on immigration. Today, he’s explaining how he and his wife Tammy are great friends with the Trumps and what you see on tv is nothing more than political bravado intended to ‘rile up’ his base.
Speaking at a recent event, Murphy said he and his wife, Tammy, have dined with Trump, who spends part of the year in New Jersey. He characterized Trump as a different person in private compared to his public appearances. “He’s a very different animal privately than he is publicly, which is fascinating to us,” Murphy said, adding that he spoke with Trump last week to congratulate him on his election win.
Murphy explained that both he and Trump tailor their public remarks for maximum effect, often delivering statements that are exaggerated compared to their personal beliefs. “We ourselves play that game. We say things up on a stage to get people riled up that are probably at least packaged in a way that is more excessive or more extreme than where we are,” Murphy said.
The Democratic governor also emphasized the bond between the two families, stating that their friendship extends beyond politics. “The other thing that I think is really helpful — and you probably can tell — we’re actually really good friends, as are our wives, and we are as couples,” Murphy said. He praised the value of engaging with people of differing viewpoints in a personal setting.
Murphy’s comments provide a rare glimpse into the personal relationships behind public political divides, showcasing a dynamic where ideological differences are set aside in private.