Republican presidential candidate and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vowed to follow former President Donald Trump if he does not participate in presidential debates.
During an interview on Fox News’s “Media Buzz” with host Howard Kurtz, Christie said he would give Trump another chance to participate in the upcoming Republican presidential debates, before following “him around the country.”
“If he doesn’t do any of the debates Howie, you know, we’re going to give him another chance,” Christie said. “I’m sure he’s not coming to the Reagan debate. We’ll give him another chance in Alabama, but if he doesn’t come there, then I’m going to follow him around the country. Wherever he goes, I’ll go.”
Chris Christie on Donald Trump skipping debates: “If he doesn't come [to the Alabama debate], then I'm going to follow him around the country. Wherever he goes, I'll go. And we'll wind up talking to each other one way or the other. And he knows that's true.” pic.twitter.com/fPKJqyZqVf
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) September 11, 2023
Trump, who is currently ahead in polls, has said that he will not be participating in the presidential debates.
“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 in a post on Truth Social on Aug. 20.
While Republican presidential candidates such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R), former Vice President Mike Pence, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (R), former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Christie attended the first debate, Trump participated in an interview with Tucker Carlson.
The second GOP presidential debate is scheduled to take place on Sept. 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in Simi Valley, California, according to USA Today.
A third debate is in the works to be held in Alabama either at the end of October or in early November, sources close to the events organization told CBS42.