Trump freaked out on Christie because of cellphone germs? Christie gives his version
A new book says New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on election night arranged for President Barack Obama to call his cellphone to congratulate Donald Trump on winning the presidency — but that when Christie told Trump this, Trump did not take kindly to it and let Christie have it in an expletive-ridden rant.
Great story, except Christie on Tuesday said it’s not true.
“First off, the book is wrong fundamentally, and there was no call from President Obama that evening to me. I didn’t speak to the president that night at all,” Christie said during an appearance on Deadline: White House on MSNBC.
Christie said he did get a call the night of Nov. 8 from a member of Obama’s “senior staff” as the election results started to turn for Trump.
“If your guy happens to win, how do I get the president in touch with your guy?” the caller asked, according to Christie.
“I said, ‘Just call my phone and I’ll give you his number,’” Christie recalled. “I turned to the president — to the now-president, to the then-candidate — after that call, and said, ‘By the way, I think they figure at the White House you’re going to win because they’re calling and asking how to get in touch with you after that happens.’ And he was happy about that.”
Christie was in charge of Trump’s transition team at the time, but was fired three days after the election.
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A recent interview shed some light on how the president feels about Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon.
Video provided by Newsy
Newslook
The new book, Devil’s Bargain; Steve Bannon, Donald Trump, and the Storming of the Presidency by Joshua Green, is supposed to tell the story of Trump’s relationship with key adviser Steve Bannon, but in it, the anecdote is used to explain why Christie was dumped.
Trump is reportedly a germophobe and was “horrified” at the thought of having to use Christie’s cellphone, according to the book. Christie during his MSNBC appearance was not asked about that specifically.
Still, Christie ended up not going to Washington to serve in the Trump administration, despite serving as a top surrogate for months on the campaign trail.
Christie was asked on the MSNBC show if Trump should have shown more loyalty to him.
“The president doesn’t owe me anything,” Christie said. “He’s the president of the United States and he’s been my friend for 15 years.”
Follow Bob Jordan on Twitter: @BobJordanAPP
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