(GoRealNewsNow.com) – In a political attack against the frontrunner in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is blaming former President Donald Trump for the rise of antisemitism and hate in the United States.
In a CNN interview on “State of the Union,” Christie claimed that Trump’s “intolerant language and conduct” essentially grants others permission to exhibit similar behavior.
“When you show intolerance toward everyone, which is what [Trump] does, you give permission as a leader for others to have their intolerance come out,” Christie stated. “Intolerance towards anyone encourages intolerance towards everyone. And that’s exactly what’s going on here.”
Christie, who trails significantly behind Trump in national and key state polls, has shifted from being a supporter of Trump to a critic, particularly after the January 6 attack on Congress and over Trump’s alleged attempts to subvert the election results.
This criticism is part of Christie’s broader stand against the surge of bigotry across the U.S., including both antisemitism and Islamophobia, which he attributes to various factors, including the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.
Moreover, Christie pointed out the failure of university administrators and presidents to effectively combat antisemitism on campuses. He called for more decisive actions, including the involvement of state police forces to protect Jewish students facing threats, underscoring the urgent need for leadership in addressing such issues.
“He says what he says, without regard to the fact that he’s perceived as a leader and that his words matter,” Christie said about Trump. According to Christie, this behavior emboldens individuals with bigoted views, making them believe they have tacit approval from a prominent leader.
Despite his critical stance, Christie acknowledges the complex nature of Trump’s influence, noting that he doesn’t believe Trump is an antisemite himself but that his indiscriminate intolerance contributes to a broader environment of bigotry.
This perspective adds a nuanced layer to Christie’s criticism of Trump as he navigates the challenging dynamics within the Republican Party and the broader political landscape dominated by Trump.