Chris Christie Rips Donald Trump Over Interest in Debating Meghan Markle

Chris Christie ripped fellow GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump over his interest in debating Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.

Christie’s Remarks

“He says so many ridiculous things,” Christie told CNN’s Dana Bash on Thursday.

“There is absolutely no interest in either Donald Trump or Meghan Markle debating about anything. And if people really want to have the real issues that are concerning their lives — like inflation, our role around the world, our troubled education system, crime, and law and order in our cities — debated, we need to have serious candidates on that [GOP debate] stage.”

Trump’s Interest

The former president had entertained the idea of a Markle debate in a Wednesday discussion with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, who claimed the viewership for such an event could rival the estimated 90 million who watched the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.

“The only thing I think that might draw an audience that even approaches that would be if you were to sit down with the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry. They don’t like you much. Would you do that for the ratings?” Hewitt asked Trump.

“Oh, if you want to set it up, let’s set it up,” replied Trump.

“I’d love to debate her. I would love it. I disagree so much with what they’re doing,” he added, claiming that the couple had treated Queen Elizabeth II “with great disrespect.”

Christie’s Criticism

On Friday, Christie took to X (formerly Twitter) to further criticize Trump, who had skipped the first GOP presidential debate and instead joined right-wing pundit Tucker Carlson for an interview intended as counterprogramming.

“Donald Trump wants to debate Meghan Markle but not his opponents? What a joke. I’m sure they’d have a great debate on Spotify,” wrote the former New Jersey governor.

“Keep me on the stage for when the coward finally shows up to debate me,” he added, alongside a fundraising link for his presidential campaign.

“I think there is absolutely no interest in either Donald Trump or Meghan Markle debating about anything.”

— 2024 GOP candidate Chris Christie responds to the former president expressing his desire to debate the Duchess of Sussex pic.twitter.com/chUD8P3tHW

— The Recount (@therecount) September 7, 2023