Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says the close relationship between Donald Trump and Elon Musk won’t last, and predicts that Trump will eventually blame Musk when things go wrong.
In a recent interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, Christie, who once supported Trump, shared his thoughts on the billionaire’s bond with Musk. He believes that as soon as Trump needs someone to blame for a problem, Musk will be the one he turns on.
Christie explained, “It ends when Trump believes something has gone wrong, and he needs someone to blame. Musk becomes the person to blame.” He added that it’s hard to know exactly when this will happen, but it’s bound to come.
Christie pointed out that people close to Trump don’t stay in his circle for long. “The people who sit at the very center with Trump have a shelf life,” he said, noting how Trump recently criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson over a failed budget deal. Johnson, who worked on a stopgap bill to prevent a government shutdown, was quickly turned on by Trump, showing how easily those around him can fall out of favor.
Musk also recently criticized the budget deal on social media, calling for the removal of lawmakers who voted for it. Trump quickly joined in, blasting the plan as well. However, another budget attempt backed by Trump also failed, and only a last-minute deal passed to avoid a government shutdown.
Christie also discussed how Musk’s role in Trump’s inner circle might be hard for others to understand. “It’s hard for people to grasp how powerful and intoxicating that position can be,” Christie said. “Musk is doing amazing things, like launching rockets and making electric cars, but in the world of Trump, it’s all about influence and power.”
He explained that when someone like Musk first enters Trump’s circle, they’re seen as very important and have a lot of influence. But eventually, that power fades. “It will always decline,” Christie predicted. “And it will happen with Elon Musk too.”
Christie, who has seen firsthand how Trump treats people close to him, shared advice he once gave to General John Kelly when he became Trump’s chief of staff: “Today you’re trading at 100 cents on the dollar. You will trade at zero. The question is, how long it will take.”
Watch the clip below from ABC News:
“It will happen with Elon Musk, too.” Chris Christie says Donald Trump will undoubtedly dump Elon Musk because all Trump confidants have a “shelf life”. (Video: ABC) pic.twitter.com/wWOFVbkNXa
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) December 22, 2024
