New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Tuesday that he never thought he’d be picked as Donald Trump’s running mate, but at the same time, he admitted he was disappointed when Trump picked another governor.
“I never expected to be chosen. … Of course, you’re disappointed,” he said on NBC. “If you compete for something like I did, you like to be picked.”
Christie said he supports Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who Trump picked as his vice presidential running mate.
“I support Mike … and I’m just really happy Donald that picked a governor,” Christie said. “If it wasn’t going to be, I’m glad it was another governor.”
Christie squashed reports that he butted heads with Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, which some say is why he wasn’t picked to run with Trump.
“I’ve never had any conflict with Jared inside the campaign,” he explained. “In fact, our relationship [is] really good professionally, and warm personally.”
Christie also dismissed widespread accusations that in her Monday night speech, Melania Trump plagiarized Michelle Obama’s 2008 speech.
“Not when 93 percent of the speech is completely different than Michelle Obama’s speech,” Christie said when asked as a former prosecutor if he could make a case for plagiarism.
The accusations will soon blow over, Christie said.
“The worst day of the convention is the first day,” he explained. “After tonight, we won’t be talking about this.”
Christie, who was said to be atop Trump’s vice presidential running mate shortlist until the very last minute, will speak Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention to the theme of “Make America Work Again.”
