'Held hostage': Former Trump ally hits him where it hurts most with Jimmy Carter comparison

WASHINGTON, DC: Chris Christie, the former Republican governor of New Jersey who scrapped his 2024 vice presidential bid, hit out at President Donald Trump over the escalating Iran war, arguing that he has been held hostage by Tehran.

President Trump has softened his agreement terms with Iran to end the now six-month-long war, which began on February 28 this year.

Chris Christie hammers Trump over Iran, compares him to Jimmy Carter

Chris Christie, on Monday, August 10, appeared on ABC’s 'This Week' and during the 'Powerhouse Roundtable' segment, pulled no punches in hammering the president.

"Look, the real problem here is it was an adventure without a plan. And now, you know, I was struck this week when the Iranians put out their list of demands to reopen the strait — reparations, etc," Christie began. 

"What struck me was that Donald Trump is about to become what he never, ever wanted to be: Jimmy Carter," he continued.

Christie further argued that Trump has been held hostage by Iran as he apparently has no way out of the war.

“He is being held hostage by Iran. They are holding the Strait of Hormuz hostage. As a result, they’re holding the world economy hostage,” Christie said.

Christie revealed that he has known the president for decades now and that Trump would never want to become former President Jimmy Carter.

“I know from talking to him over the last 24 years, the one person he would never want to be is Jimmy Carter. Talk to him about Jimmy Carter, too. And so here we are. And it was all voluntary,” Christie added.

Christie, who was a key endorser of Trump in 2016 and helped lead his transition team, has become one of the president’s fiercest critics.

Chris Christie says Trump's charisma is gone

In late July, Christie attacked Trump’s showmanship and ability to command the attention of the nation, something he knows the president focuses on.

“He can no longer distract from bad decisions with his charisma,” Christie said of Trump. “No one is paying attention anymore. They are bored with the act. At times on Friday night, it seemed like he was even bored with the act.”

“And the Iranians notice all of this,” he added. “They’re not going to take him seriously. And that has got to be incredibly frustrating to a president who all he cares about is that people take him seriously.”