TRENTON, N.J. — Conservative commentator Mike Crispi issued a fiery rebuke of New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Bill Spadea, accusing the Republican hopeful of deception, financial mismanagement, and betrayal of the MAGA movement in an explosive video shared online.
Crispi served as a New Jersey delegate for President Trump at the 2024 RNC convention and is head of New Jersey’s America First campaign, aligned with the values of President Trump.
Crispi, a vocal supporter of MAGA-aligned candidates, claimed Spadea and his campaign have misled supporters, squandered donor funds, and alienated key allies, including President Donald Trump.
“Spadea campaign is not allowed to host events or any related PACs are not allowed to host any events at Trump Bedminster. They’re banned,” Crispi said, asserting that Spadea misrepresented Trump’s involvement in a campaign event.
The America First leader also claimed that President Trump allowed Spadea to take a photo with him at Bedminster earlier this month, but made the former radio host promise, “not to post it.”
So far, Spadea has not posted the photo, saying, “Out of respect” for the President.
Crispi also alleged that Spadea paid large sums to consultants linked to former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in an attempt to secure the Ocean County GOP line, only to see little return in campaign visibility.
“Spadea has paid almost all of his money to these Chris Christie-backed consultants who haven’t spent the money on advertising. They spent it on themselves,” he said.
The commentary further targeted Spadea’s campaign chairman, George Gilmore, whom Crispi accused of having longstanding ties to Democratic power brokers in the state. He suggested that Gilmore stood to benefit regardless of the election outcome through contracts and legal work.
“George Gilmore is in the press doing interviews saying that he doesn’t think that Spadea could even win the general election,” Crispi said, citing what he described as internal fractures in the campaign.
Crispi slams alleged self-dealing, touts rival candidate
Crispi also pointed to campaign finance filings, asserting that Spadea reimbursed himself $250,000 in living expenses from campaign funds while spending little on voter outreach.
“Go look how Spadea himself has made $250,000 paid back to himself for living expenses from his campaign,” he said.
He concluded by endorsing rival Republican candidate Mario Kranjak, calling him the true MAGA option in the race. Kranjak, the former mayor of Englewood Cliffs, recently qualified for the GOP primary ballot.
Crispi’s broadside comes as Spadea struggles to build momentum ahead of the primary, with recent polling reportedly showing him trailing by 30 points behind potential frontrunner Jack Ciattarelli. The former state assemblyman and 2021 GOP nominee is widely viewed as a more established contender.
The Spadea campaign has not publicly responded to Crispi’s accusations. Spadea, a former radio host, has positioned himself as a populist conservative, but critics have questioned the consistency of his messaging and alignment with Trump.
Key Points
- Mike Crispi accused Bill Spadea’s campaign of deception, poor spending, and distancing from Trump.
- Crispi claims Spadea is banned from hosting events at Trump Bedminster and misled donors.
- He endorsed rival candidate Mario Kranjak as the legitimate MAGA option in the race.
Crispi’s tirade adds fuel to a fractious GOP primary, further complicating Spadea’s path to the nomination.
