Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., shocked the political world today by announcing that he is endorsing Donald Trump for president. Here’s a timeline of how the endorsement may have gone down.
Aug. 13
In an interview with Greta Van Susteren, Christie says, “Donald’s a great guy and a good person. But I just don’t think that he’s suited to be president of the United States … I don’t think his temperament is suited for that and I don’t think his experience is.”
Nov. 30
Trump attacks Christie in a tweet, saying, “How is Chris Christie running the state of NJ, which is deeply troubled, when he is spending all of his time in NH? New Jerseyans not happy!”
Feb. 6
Christie pounds Marco Rubio at the Republican debate in New Hampshire. “Marco, the thing is this,” Christie said. “When you’re president of the United States, when you’re a governor of a state, the memorized 30-second speech where you talk about how great America is at the end of it doesn’t solve one problem for one person.”
In his response, Rubio replied with the now infamous line: “This notion that Barack Obama doesn’t know what he’s doing is just not true. He knows exactly what he’s doing.”
Christie interrupted with, “There it is. There it is. The memorized 25-second speech. There it is, everybody.”
Feb. 10
The day after finishing sixth in New Hampshire with only 7 percent of the vote, Chris Christie drops out of the presidential race. In Friday’s press conference, Christie said that after dropping out, he talked with his family about whether they wanted to continue to have a presence in the race going forward.
Feb. 25
At Friday’s press conference, Trump said he spoke with Christie on Thursday and invited him to campaign with him in Texas today. Later that day, the remaining Republican candidates meet for a debate. Many pundits thought it was Trump’s worst debate performance to date and that Rubio had knocked Trump off his game.
Feb. 26
Rubio mocks Trump during a rally in Texas. After the rally, Trump announces that he will host a press conference later that day with a “big announcement.” That announcement: Christie’s endorsement.
Jason Russell is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
