NEWSWEEK
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has caused audible laughter in a Fox News studio after joking about Donald Trump‘s physique.
Christie was responding to comments by the former president mocking his Republican primary rival and his weight. In conversation with Fox News’ Neil Cavuto on Monday night, Christie said: “We’ve seen the pictures on the golf course… we’re not talking about an Adonis over here in Donald Trump.”
Christie also quipped: “who’s he, Hercules?” causing Cavuto to visibly chuckle as the live conversation went on. Laughter from elsewhere in the studio—it is not clear who from—can then be heard as Christie criticizes Trump’s appearance at various golf courses in New Jersey and Florida.
Previously, Trump caused controversy when he mocked Christie on stage at a rally in Windham, New Hampshire. Responding to an audience member, Trump said: “Sir, please do not call him a fat pig. That’s very disrespectful… See, I’m trying to be nice. Don’t call him a fat pig.”
Moments before, Trump had joked that Christie was not available at the event because he was “eating right now, he can’t be bothered.”
On the social media app X, formerly known as Twitter, Christie shared the video in a clip and said: “If you had the guts you would show up to the debate and say it to my face.” Trump has so far failed to show at any of the debates in the Republican primary, but retains a massive lead in the polls.
After his New Hampshire appearance, Trump doubled down on his disparaging remarks about his fellow Republican and wrote on Truth Social that he was “extremely respectful of Sloppy Chris Christie.”
The bitterness between the two was discussed openly on Monday night, in which Christie revealed members of his family do not like the comments from the 45th president. “My children hate it,” Christie told Cavuto. “Especially because we’re been friends with Donald Trump for over 20 years.”
He also slammed Trump for calling Nikki Haley, the former Governor of South Carolina, a “birdbrain” on his Truth Social media platform. This was despite her acting as his former ambassador to the United Nations from the start of his administration in January 2017 until December 2018.
