Awkward Silence Ensues After Chris Christie Asks Brutal Question About Rival’s Poll Numbers

Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie asked CNN’s Kaitlan Collins a question on Monday’s installment of The Source that yielded an awkward moment of silence.

Like all Republican candidates not named Donald Trump, Christie is far behind in the polls. That includes former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, whose numbers have ticked up in recent weeks. However, she is also not close to catching Trump.

The first three contests will be held in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. Collins asked Christie, who has made a big play for the Granite State, whether he would drop out of the race if he underperforms his expectations there. The former New Jersey governor said he would.

“What about South Carolina?” the host asked. “Is it only based on how you do in New Hampshire? Do the states that follow matter?”

“Look, I think that the race is gonna narrow significantly,” Christie replied. “When you get to South Carolina, I assume that Nikki Haley has to win South Carolina. I mean, for heaven’s sake. It’s her own state. I would hope she has to win. If she doesn’t win there, I think that’s a problem. And quite frankly, you know, she’s said she’s gonna do second place in Iowa. So, there’s high expectations for her now and we’ll see if she meets them.

Collins then noted that Trump is polling well in South Carolina:

COLLINS: Well, I mean, Donald Trump is certainly polling above her in South Carolina. It would be quite something if she did win that state. Donald Trump, you know, has, as you noted–

CHRISTIE: Hold on, Kaitlan!

COLLINS: Go ahead.

CHRISTIE: Kaitlan, hold on for a second. Hold on for a second. She’s a two-term governor of South Carolina. If you don’t win your home state, which state exactly are you going to win?

[AWKWARD SILENCE]

COLLINS: That’s the question for everybody. I mean, Donald Trump is polling above everyone in every state.

CHRISTIE: I understand that, but I will tell you this. We had a primary in New Jersey. You can count on the fact that I’d win it.

When Christie ran in 2016, Trump won the state of New Jersey, though Christie had dropped out long before then. As Trump has pointed out on several occasions, the governor left office in 2018 with very low approval ratings

Watch above via CNN.