Chris Christie on Robinson allegations: 'This was predictable'

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) said in a Sunday interview that the recent bombshell CNN report on Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, Republican candidate for governor, "was predictable" in light of his past public statements.

“Mark Robinson's tenure in public life has shown erratic, sometimes highly offensive, statements over and over again,” Christie, a 2024 presidential candidate, said on ABC’s “This Week.”

“And Donald Trump supported him and endorsed him,” Christie continued. “In fact, called him better than Martin Luther King. Martin Luther King, Jr on steroids, right? So this was predictable.”

Christie said part of the problem is that former President Trump, his long-time ally-turned-rival, picks bad candidates to run on the Republican ticket.

“This is the problem for us, Republicans. As long as Donald Trump is your recruiting agent for candidates in swing states, we're going to continue to get our rear ends handed to us.

"And Mark Robinson is not going to win this race. He can't win this race," Christie said, noting that Robinson is behind in the polls and is also "running against, by the way, a very formidable candidate in the Attorney General, Josh Stein."

“So, the fact is, this was going to be a tough race no matter what. And the problem for them now George is how much will it affect the top of the ticket,” Christie continued.

CNN published an explosive report Thursday about Robinson, revealing a wide range of inflammatory comments that he reportedly made on a pornography website’s message board more than 10 years ago, including calling himself a “black NAZI” and wishing for slavery to be reinstated.

An account with the username “minisoldr” made the posts, and CNN identified the account as belonging to Robinson based on his full name being listed on the account, him using the username on other sites, an email address that Robinson used elsewhere and biographical details that line up with his background.

Robinson has said he would remain in the race amid concerns about the viability of his candidacy. He also alleged in a video posted to the social platform X shortly before the article’s publication that Democratic nominee Josh Stein’s campaign leaked the story to CNN. Robinson insisted that the details of the story are false.

The revelations are just the latest in a series of controversies that have surrounded Robinson’s candidacy, with the Republican nominee drawing attention for a series of incendiary remarks about various groups.

He has been an outspoken opponent of abortion, calling the practice “murder” and “genocide,” though he softened his stance and declared his support for the state’s current 12-week law during his campaign. He has described homosexuality and “transgenderism” as “filth,” called Muslims “invaders” and made derogatory comments about Jews and Black voters who support Democrats. 

Robinson has criticized the civil rights movement, arguing that “so many freedoms were lost” during that time.