Meg Whitman calls Christie’s endorsement of Trump ‘an astonishing display of political opportunism’
Whitman introduces Christie at a rally in New Hampshire earlier this month. (Photo: Matthew Cavanaugh/Getty Images)
Meg Whitman, the Hewlett-Packard chief executive who served as the national finance co-chairman for Chris Christie’s failed presidential campaign, is calling the New Jersey governor’s endorsement of Republican frontrunner Donald Trump “an astonishing display of political opportunism.”
“Donald Trump is unfit to be president,” Whitman said in a statement Sunday. “He is a dishonest demagogue who plays to our worst fears. Trump would take America on a dangerous journey.
“Christie knows all that and indicated as much many times publicly,“ she continued. “The governor is mistaken if he believes he can now count on my support, and I call on Christie’s donors and supporters to reject the governor and Donald Trump outright. I believe they will. For some of us, principle and country still matter.”
“Well, listen, I love Meg Whitman,” Christie said on ABC’s "This Week” Sunday. “She’s a great friend to me and to Mary Pat, always has been. We obviously, from that statement, have a difference of political opinion. And that’s OK. That’s what makes this country great is that people can have differences of political opinion.”
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Whitman contributed $2,700 to Christie’s presidential campaign and $200,000 to the Christie super PAC America Leads.
“Meg has always been free to express her views, and I honor her,” Christie continued. “And we absolutely adore our relationship with her and I’m sure it’ll continue.”
Trump and Christie wave as they arrive at a rally at Millington Regional Airport in Tennessee on Saturday. (Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP)
Christie, who dropped his bid for the GOP nomination earlier this month, announced his surprise endorsement of Trump on Friday at a joint press conference in Texas.
“I am proud to be here to endorse Donald Trump for president of the United States,” Christie said at a rally for Trump on Friday. “He’ll provide strong, unequivocal leadership. He will do what needs to be done to protect the American people first and foremost, both in the homeland and in creating jobs for this country. And he will make sure that people around the world know that America keeps its word again. Donald Trump is someone who, when he makes a promise, he keeps it.”
He added: “I will lend my support between now and November in any way for Donald to help make this campaign an even better campaign than it’s already been. And then help him do whatever he needs to do to help make the country everything we want it to be for our children and grandchildren.”
On Saturday, after Christie introduced Trump at a campaign rally at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in Arkansas, the billionaire could be heard telling the New Jersey governor to “go home,” pointing to a plane waiting for him on the tarmac.
