Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) claimed that many elected Republicans privately criticize President Donald Trump while publicly praising him on camera.
Christie made the remarks during a Friday appearance on “Overtime,” an online segment of Real Time with Bill Maher, when asked what Republicans really say behind closed doors.
According to Christie, GOP lawmakers frequently approach him in private to agree with his blunt criticism of Trump.
“So many of my fellow party members come up to me,” Christie said, describing conversations that happen off-camera.
He claimed Republicans tell him they admire his willingness to speak openly while admitting they secretly share his views.
“They’ll say, ‘You’re so brave. That’s so great. I totally agree with you. He’s nuts,’” Christie said, recounting what he says happens in green rooms.
Christie contrasted those private conversations with what he claims happens moments later in public interviews.
“Then they go out on camera and say, ‘The greatest president since Abraham Lincoln,’” Christie said.
He added that after the interviews, those same Republicans allegedly returned to him and admitted they did not mean what they said publicly.
“They come back and say, ‘You know, I have to do that, but I don’t really mean it,’” Christie said.
When pressed by Bill Maher to name specific lawmakers, Christie largely refused but singled out Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
Christie said Graham is among those who privately criticize Trump despite publicly backing him.
Trump has repeatedly compared himself to Abraham Lincoln during his political career, including in a 2022 video promoting his NFT trading cards.
In that video, Trump called himself “hopefully your favorite president of all time, better than Lincoln, better than Washington.”
Christie argued that many Republicans who once fiercely opposed Trump have since fallen in line behind his MAGA movement, per the Daily Mail.
Several high-profile examples date back to the 2016 Republican primary.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio sharply criticized Trump during the campaign before later becoming one of his most prominent allies.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) also attacked Trump in 2016 after Trump insulted his wife, Heidi, but later campaigned for him after the nomination was secured.
Christie himself supported Trump after the 2016 election and briefly led his transition team before being sidelined.
He later served as an informal advisor during Trump’s first term.
The relationship soured after Trump refused to concede the 2020 election.
Christie’s criticism intensified further following the Jan. 6 Capitol protest, which he has blamed on Trump’s rhetoric.
He ran against Trump in the 2024 Republican primary but dropped out before any votes were cast.
Trump ultimately won the nomination decisively, securing 76% of the vote compared to Nikki Haley’s 19%.
Christie’s comments add to ongoing claims of private dissent within Republican ranks even as public loyalty to Trump remains strong.
