TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey’s governor’s race turned sharply combative Friday after Democrats, NJ101.5 radio host Bill Spadea, and several social media accounts circulated claims that Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli was leaving the campaign trail to attend a fundraiser at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort — a claim Ciattarelli’s campaign flatly denied prior to the event.
The event kicked off last night, but Spadea was rallying voters in Passaic County, not with Trump at the Mar-A-Lago event.
On Saturday morning, Ciattarelli woke up with his feet firmly on New Jersey soil with planned events across the entire state, starting with a rally in Wanaque.
The rumor, shared widely across social media platforms this week, alleged that Ciattarelli would travel to Florida just one week before Election Day to raise money alongside members of Trump’s family.
Ciattarelli’s campaign called the posts another desperate attempts by his opponents to distract from the real problems facing New Jersey and the scandals of Mikie Sherrill, a false narrative pushed by Democrats and rival candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill.
Key Points
- Democrats and activists online claim Ciattarelli plans to attend a Mar-a-Lago fundraiser before Election Day
- Ciattarelli’s campaign says the rumor is false and that he will remain in New Jersey
- Conservative radio host Bill Spadea echoed the claim before later facing criticism for repeating it
Campaign calls the Mar-a-Lago claim ‘a lie’
In a statement responding to the growing chatter online, Ciattarelli’s team said the candidate “will be in-state campaigning” and “did not write a check” or plan to attend any Florida fundraiser.
And he was. He never had any plans to attend an event in Florida. A schedule released the day prior by his campaign team confirmed.
Campaign aides confirmed Ciattarelli’s public schedule shows a full slate of New Jersey events during the days in question.
Social media accounts amplify the rumor
The claim appeared to originate from posts on X (formerly Twitter), including a message from user @umichvoter, who wrote, “why is Jack Ciattarelli in Florida seven days before the New Jersey election?” The account offered no evidence.
Democrats then ran with that false information, sharing it as fact.
FactPost, a political commentary page, later posted that Ciattarelli “plans to attend lavish Mar-A-Lago fundraiser with Lara Trump,” which quickly spread among partisan networks and progressive influencers.
By late Thursday, the rumor had reached thousands of shares across platforms, despite no verification from official sources or event organizers. Even Jack Ciattarelli’s primary opponent, Bill Spadea joined the far-left chorus.
Conservative host joins the criticism
The controversy deepened when conservative radio host Bill Spadea criticized Ciattarelli on air, apparently referencing the same online rumor. “Jack needs to have a backbone when it comes to President Trump,” Spadea said. “He’s being walked all over. It’s kind of embarrassing.”
Spadea’s comments drew backlash from Ciattarelli supporters who accused him of repeating unverified Democratic talking points. Campaign supporters said the radio host “was fed the same false story being circulated online.”
Spadea, who reportedly has not spoken to Ciattarelli since his stinging election loss in June, did not bother to fact check the claim either.
Election enters final stretch amid misinformation surge
The dispute highlights how quickly unverified claims can shape political narratives in the final weeks before an election. State officials and watchdog groups have warned voters to verify information before sharing it online, citing a rise in politically motivated misinformation targeting local races.
As the November 4 election nears, Ciattarelli has focused his campaign on taxes, cost of living, and senior affordability, while Democrats have sought to tie him to national Republican figures.
For now, Ciattarelli’s campaign insists the candidate will spend every remaining day before the election “meeting voters in New Jersey — not fundraising in Florida.”