Chris Christie Caught On Hot Mic Saying His Now-Former Opponent Is "Gonna Get Smoked" Right Before He Dropped Out Of The 2024 Race

Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie’s 2024 presidential run ended with less of a bang and more of a pathetic fizzle as he formally dropped out of the race this evening, just days before Iowa’s crucial leadoff caucuses.

AP News confirmed Christie’s decision tonight, as he spoke to his supporters at a New Hampshire town hall and admitted that he has seen and accepted the fact that he does not have a path to victory in this race.

“Campaigns are run to win. That’s why we do them,” Christie said. “It’s clear to me tonight that there isn’t a path for me to win the nomination.”

“My goal has never been to be just a voice against the hate and division and the selfishness of what our party has become under Donald Trump,” he added, once again solidifying his hatred for the ex-president turned 2024 candidate. “I am going to make sure that in no way do I enable Donald Trump to ever be president of the United States again. And that’s more important than my own personal ambition.”

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The former NJ governor did not immediately offer up an official endorsement for any of the Republican candidates remaining in the race. However, according to reporting from Politico and new audio footage that’s spreading like wildfire across social media, he certainly had a few disparaging words for his then-fellow Republican contenders just moments before he formally dropped out of the race — most specifically, former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley.

While he never mentioned Haley specifically by name, a hot mic caught Christie saying, “She’s gonna get smoked. And you and I both know it. She’s not up to this.”

As it stands, Nikki Haley is the candidate who stands to gain the most from Christie’s departure from the race.

I think it’s pretty safe to say that his impending endorsement won’t be going into her pocket.

You can hear the audio clip here:

CHRISTIE SLAMS HALEY ON HOT-MIC: “She’s gonna get smoked — and you and I both know it — she’s not up to this.” pic.twitter.com/VeQ7Gc6UN1

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 10, 2024