Christie taunts pro-Trump boo birds at conservative convention

Chris Christie isn’t backing down from harshly criticizing former President Donald Trump — even if he has to endure boo birds along the way.

Showing off his trademark Jersey bravado, the Republican presidential contender Friday dared MAGA hecklers to bring it on when they showered him with boos at a conservative political convention.

“(Trump) let us down. He’s unwilling to take responsibility for any of the mistakes that were made… and any of the things that he did,” Christie told the crowd at the Faith & Family Coalition convention in Washington D.C. “That’s not leadership. That’s a failure of leadership.”

Republican presidential candidate former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie waves to supporters after speaking during the Faith and Freedom Coalition Policy Conference in Washington, Friday, June 23, 2023. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

When rumbles of discontent turned into a chorus of boos, Christie addressed the hostile crowd directly.

“You can boo all you want,” Christie brashly told the crowd.

“People have to stand up and take accountability for what they do, and I cannot stand by,” added Christie, winning some applause amid the boos.

Christie later said he expected what he called a “mixed bag” from the group of mostly Christian conservatives gathered in Washington D.C. and made the dubious claim that half the crowd was clapping for him.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023, Saturday, March 4, 2023, at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. (Alex Brandon/AP)

The former New Jersey governor vowed not to soften his #NeverTrump message depending on the audience he is addressing.

“I’m not going to change my message or pander to people,” Christie told CNN. “I’m telling the truth about Donald Trump.”

Christie launched his Republican presidential campaign this month with a series of biting attacks on Trump and fellow GOP candidates who have shied away from criticizing the most popular leader in the party.

Trump has hit back at Christie, saying he is disgruntled for being left out of his presidential administration.

Republican presidential candidate former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks during the Faith and Freedom Coalition Policy Conference in Washington, Friday, June 23, 2023. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

The failed 2016 candidate says he is determined to hold Trump’s feet to the fire and claims he is the only one with the debate chops to take down the former president.

So far, Christie has done a bit better than expected, rising in polls to within striking distance of Gov. Ron DeSantis in second place in the first-in-the-nation primary state of New Hampshire.

Pundits give him scant chance of actually toppling Trump, who maintains a dominant lead with around 50% or more in most polls.

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