Christie fires back at Trump: ‘Donald is used to intimidating folks’
Source: Wash post
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Columbus, Ohio. (Paul Vernon/AP)
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie fired back at Donald Trump after the businessman said Monday that he should “be careful with what he says.”
Trump’s comments came after Christie said that no Muslims in New Jersey were celebrating after 9/11 as Trump had claimed.
On Monday in New Hampshire, Christie said, “my recollection was, it didn’t happen.”
“I was there on 9/11. I wasn’t across the river in New York City. I was there,” Christie said. “It didn’t happen.”
“The worst part about his claim is that he said he saw it on television,” Christie added. “No one has been able to unearth any video of any such thing happening.”
Trump has come under fire for the widely debunked claim that he saw video footage of Muslims celebrating in Christie’s state after the attacks. But Trump hasn’t backed down from the claim.
On Monday, he accused Christie of initially issuing a “weak” response.
“He didn’t say that the other day, he was very weak the other day,” Trump said Monday. “So the other day he said it like, well, he doesn’t know.”
“Now I guess he feels a little emboldened. He must be careful with what he says,” Trump said.
Initially, Christie told NJ.com that he didn’t remember any such celebrations, but he noted that he could have forgotten.
“I do not remember that, and so it’s not something that was part of my recollection,” Christie said. “I think if it had happened, I would remember it, but, you know, there could be things I forget, too.”
Christie, who is coming off a big day of endorsements, batted aside Trump’s accusations.
“His facts are wrong. I know that, he knows it too,” Christie said. “Donald is used to intimidating folks.”
“I have no reason to engage with him,” he added.
Plus, he added, “being warned by Donald Trump to be careful what I say is fascinating. … I don’t think Donald Trumps picks his words with great care.”
Asked why he didn’t initially denounce Trump more forcefully, Christie said that he felt he was being forceful enough.
“I said I was there and I don’t remember it,” Christie said. “My qualification was that day was a very emotional, personal day for me. That’s not what I was focused on.”
“I don’t know how much more forceful you can be than that,” Christie said.
