New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) on Monday gave a stronger rebuttal to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s claims that Muslims Americans were cheering the attacks on 9/11, saying “that didn’t happen.”
Asked about Trump’s repeated claims that Muslim citizens in New Jersey celebrated the terror attacks, Christie told an ABC News reporter that “it didn’t happen.”
The clarification comes a week after the governor said he didn’t “recall” Muslims cheering, in part because he was concerned about family and friends who were close to the attacks.
“I said I didn’t remember it, that was the way I put it that day,” Christie told the ABC News reporter. “It wasn’t me trying to hedge anything, it was me telling the truth. I don’t remember it happening…And if it had happened, I’m pretty sure I’d remember it.”
“That did not happen in New Jersey that day and hasn’t happened since,” he concluded.
Trump’s claims, which originated in internet conspiracy and rumors in the wake of the attacks, have been thoroughly debunked.
Christie’s remarks came the same day Trump hit the governor on Twitter for his record of running the “deeply troubled” state.
How is Chris Christie running the state of NJ, which is deeply troubled, when he is spending all of his time in NH? New Jerseyans not happy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2015
Watch Christie’s full remarks, via ABC News:
WATCH: @ChrisChristie on Trump’s claim Muslims in New Jersey celebrated 9/11 attacks: “It didn’t happen.”
https://t.co/Lw88PMnpoP
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) November 30, 2015
Derp Fight!
This one has some weight behind it.
Would have been nice to see CC put some passion defending his citizens rather than defending his earlier statement. Trump insulted all NJers and CC is letting him get away with it.
How is Chris Christie running the state of NJ, which is deeply troubled, when he is spending all of his time in NH? New Jerseyans not happy!
A day late and a dollar short.
Profiles in Courage, he isn’t.
Gov. Christie, please explain why all you GOPers, who are so deeply into magic words when it comes to naming terrorists, can’t seem to muster the strength to whisper the word that perfectly describes Donald Trump: liar.