Like the “Worst of Nazi Germany”: Chris Christie Slams Trump’s ‘Vermin’ Remark

William FurneyNov 21, 2023

Minute Read

Fierce Trump critic and GOP presidential rival Chris Christie has ripped into Donald Trump for saying his political opponents are like “vermin.”

Trump-Attack Talk

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Christie, who has just returned from a high-profile trip to war-hit Israel, was speaking to an audience at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington, when he unleashed fury on the former president.

‘Nazi Language’

The former New Jersey governor told those in attendance: “When Donald Trump compares his domestic political opponents to vermin — language that those of us who know history is equated with the worst of Nazi Germany — and suggests that they pose a greater threat to our nation than China or Russia or Iran or North Korea and this is hardly making news today. He is fundamentally unserious.

Controversial Trump Remarks

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In a speech marking Veteran’s Day, Trump vowed that if he were elected president in next year’s election he would “root out” his political foes, saying they “live like vermin within the confines of our country, that lie and steal and cheat on elections.”

Trump’s Claims

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Trump was referring to four indictments he has been served with that carry a total of 91 criminal charges, and his claims that they’re the work of Democrats trying to stop him from becoming president again. He was also referencing the result of the 2020 presidential election he lost to Joe Biden that he continues to claim was “rigged” and “stolen” from him.

Christie’s Election Longshot

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Christie’s chances of becoming president are a longshot at best, as he is polling nationally at just 2.5 percent, compared to Trump’s massive lead of 59.1 percent. Trump’s nearest rival is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is polling at 14.1 percent, according to an average of national polls.

Trump ‘Doesn’t Care’

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Speaking on CNN, Christie said he believes Trump “doesn’t care” about what kind of language he uses, even if it’s incendiary.

Risky Language

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Christie told host Jake Tapper of Trump: “Well, I think that what he’s done with his use of language is to give permission to a lot of people who then believe they can take it even further. And they can actualize the things that he said, weaponize the things that he’s saying. And most people won’t use that type of language, because they know there’s a risk of that.”

Christie added: “He doesn’t care. He just doesn’t care, Jake. I mean, his view is if it’s good for him at that moment, he’ll do it.”

Biden Concern Over Trump Language

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President Biden, who is seeking re-election next year, has also voiced concern about Trump’s words. In a speech at a fundraiser in San Francisco, Biden echoed Christie’s view that Trump’s describing his enemies as “vermin” had Nazi undertones.

‘Specific Meaning’

Biden told the event: “In just the last few days, Trump has said if he returns to office he’s gonna go after all those who oppose him and wipe out what he called the vermin in America — quote, the vermin in America — a specific phrase because it’s just a specific meaning.”

‘Echoes Nazi Germany’

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Biden added that it was “language you heard in Nazi Germany in the 30s. That is [not] even the first time. Trump also recently talked about blood of America has been poisoned. The blood in America has been poisoned. Again, echoes the same phrases used in Nazi Germany.”

Biden Leading in Polls

President Biden is the likely candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination for the 2024 presidential race, as he’s currently polling nationally at around 70 percent and has almost no competition.

Trump and Biden?

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If Trump and Biden become their parties’ choices for the 2024 election, following primary voting starting early next year, it would essentially mean a re-run of the contentious 2020 election. But there are many hurdles.

Trump’s Legal Nightmares

Trump has been indicted four times, including over the 2020 election result and his alleged attempts to overturn it and deprive Americans of their constitutional right to vote. And his real estate empire is at risk, after a judge found at a trial in New York that he and his adult sons committed years of fraud to get cheap loans.

The Age Issue

Both Biden and Trump are facing growing concern over their advanced ages. Biden is 81 this month and Trump is 77. A recent string of stumbles and gaffes by both men has left many within their parties and among ordinary voters wondering if they should not retire and pass the political baton to younger and more energetic politicians. Presidential contenders like Christie, who is relatively a lot younger, at 61, will be hoping so.