MSNBC anchor and former White House press secretary Jen Psaki lamented the suspension of 2024 presidential candidate Chris Christie’s campaign, noting that he “will be missed” as the election cycle continues.
Psaki added that Christie’s absence means voters are not reminded of “some harsh truths,” specifically regarding how former President Donald Trump is a step closer to becoming the 2024 Republican nominee. The MSNBC anchor noted, however, that Christie could still provide a boost to former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley with an endorsement in the immediate future, who polls currently show is the closest candidate to Trump ahead of the Iowa caucuses.
“So yes, his voice will be missed,” Psaki wrote. “But his endorsement, or lack thereof, is unlikely to have much of an impact after January.”
Christie, who ran his campaign as a vocal critic of Trump, announced his departure from the 2024 Republican primary on Wednesday, the same evening Haley and fellow 2024 candidate, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) debated each other while Trump held a town hall event.
Ahead of announcing his campaign suspension, Christie was heard via a hot mic that Haley is “gonna get smoked” in the primary race, adding that “she’s not up to this.” Haley has brushed off Christie’s remarks, adding that her campaign focused “on relationships with people on the ground and gaining their trust.”
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Ahead of the Iowa caucuses, which will begin Monday, Trump is polling at 48%, with Haley in second place at 20%, DeSantis at 16%, and billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy at 8%. Trump has dismissed concerns that Haley could get a boost with Christie leaving the race, saying he’s “not exactly worried about it.”
The New Hampshire caucuses will start shortly after the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 23. Trump is hosting a rally in Rochester, New Hampshire on Jan. 21, the same night that CNN is hosting a primary debate.
