Internet unconvinced as Chris Christie says hot mic remark on Nikki Haley getting 'smoked' was a mistake

WASHINGTON, DC: Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R) admitted recently that his hot mic remark about Nikki Haley last month was a “complete mistake.” Nevertheless, Christie did not apologize for the same.

During his first interview since leaving the presidential race in January, Christi said his comment about Nikki Haley getting “smoked” in her campaign was a “complete mistake.”

What did Chris Christie say?

Chris Christie recounted his hot mic moment where he was heard saying about the former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley that in her race against Donald Trump, “She’s gonna get smoked.” He further added, “And you and I both know it, she’s not up to this.”

Christie’s hot mic moment came just a few minutes before suspending his own presidential campaign.

Now, appearing in an interview with ‘Good Morning America’ co-host George Stephanopoulos, Christie admitted his mistake saying, "I'll tell you, George, it was a complete mistake."

He further recounted how he came to know about the fumble, as he continued, “The way I found out is actually the funniest part of the story,” per The Hill.

He shared, “I had my phone on vibrate, but the only person whose ringtone bursts through when I have it on vibrate is my son, Andrew. And the phone rang, and I picked it up, and I said, ‘I’m getting ready to go out,’ and he goes, ‘Hot mic! Hot mic! Hot mic!’”

Christie went on, “He was in the Dominican Republic watching on the live stream. And that’s how I found out that the mic was hot," per ABC News.

Christi, however, added, "It's one of those moments I wish, quite frankly, hadn't happened, just 'cause it was a distraction. But on the other hand, I didn't say anything on the hot mic that I didn't essentially say in the speech that I gave about 10 minutes later," Christie said.

Chris Christie spoke with Nikki Haley

Christie shared with Stephanopoulos that despite his hot mic moment, he had a brief conversation with Nikki Haley the next day, but did not offer her an apology.

He explained, “It was a 45-second conversation,” before continuing, “She told me, ‘I know it’s a personal decision to get in a race. And it’s a tough decision to get out. I heard everything you said last night, including the hot mic.’ And I said, ‘Uh huh.’ And she said, ‘Well, good luck,’ and I said, ‘Good luck to you.’”

As Stephanopoulos prompted, “So she didn’t ask for an apology, and you didn’t give one?” Christie added, “No, there’s no apology warranted.”

Chris Christie admits he would not endorse Nikki Haley even later

Chris Christie also shed light on his possible stance toward Haley a “little bit down the road,” as he doubled down on his view that he would not support a candidate who would still vote for Trump if he were a convicted felon.

During the first 2024 GOP debate, the same question was asked to the candidates where six out of eight candidates affirmed that they would still support Trump.

Only Christie and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said they wouldn't endorse the former President if he is convicted.

Christie said that he would not imagine endorsing Haley as he fears Haley may later do a turnaround.

Christie said, “Look, imagine the position I’d be in. If I endorsed someone who then turned around and endorsed Donald Trump. I’m not gonna be put in that spot again, George.”

He continued, “I made a decision in 2016. The only time in my political career where I endorsed someone purely for political reasons, even though I had some misgivings. And that’s why I endorsed Donald Trump.”

However, he admitted, “And it was the biggest mistake I made in my political career. And I’m just not going to repeat that mistake for anybody."

Netizens react to Chris Christie's words

Social media users weren't happy with Chris Christie's candid admission.

One of them said, "@ChrisChristie's first interview since ending his presidential campaign was full of shade, telling ABC News there was "no apology warranted" for @NikkiHaley after his hot mic moment in which he said she would get "smoked.""

Someone else said, "Chrissy is a big mistake."

"At that level of politics, you always assume the Mike is hot. That was no mistake," said another netizen.

A social media user said, "I don’t trust him and I doubt it was a mistake."

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