Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) suggested that former President Donald Trump may be “scared to death” of Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie.
During an interview on CNN, Kinzinger spoke about Trump skipping the upcoming Republican 2024 presidential primary debate. Kinzinger argued that instead of skipping the debate, Trump should come before the GOP and explain why they should support him.
“He’s not going to do it,” Kinzinger said, adding some political advisors may suggest “there’s no benefit” for Trump to debate. “Honest to goodness, Donald Trump is a coward. He’s scared to death of Chris Christie because I think Chris Christie is going to wipe the floor with him.”
Former Rep. @AdamKinzinger on Trump skipping first GOP debate: "If he's gonna ask for their vote he needs to come in front of them again and explain why this time instead of being a loser he'll be a winner."
— The Recount (@therecount) August 22, 2023
"Trump is a coward. He's scared to death of Chris Christie," he adds. pic.twitter.com/2W2EXN9vBV
“If he was the incumbent running for re-election, you know if this was 2020, and like I get that,” Kinzinger said. “But, he lost. He lost for the Republicans the presidency. The Republicans have done nothing but lose since Donald Trump.”
In a message on Truth Social, Trump confirmed he would be skipping the primary debates, citing how a new CBS poll showed him “leading” over political opponents such as Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), former Vice President Mike Pence, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
“The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had, with Energy Independence, Strong Borders & Military, Biggest EVER Tax & Regulation Cuts, No Inflation, Strongest Economy in History, & much more,” Trump wrote.
Out of all of the Republican candidates, Christie has attacked Trump, casting blame on him for the Republican’s disappointing midterm election results and dismissing his claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.