You can scratch former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie off the list of potential people who will become the next chief of staff for President Donald Trump.
The opening to replace Chief of Staff John Kelly has been subject to an enormous amount of speculation in recent days. But the list is now one name shorter.
The job was originally Nick Ayers, Vice President Mike Pence‘s chief of staff, to lose. But he bowed out of consideration for the post, and all hell broke loose. Even former Major League Baseball player Jose Canseco threw his hat into the ring.
Christie was reportedly a favorite after Ayers dropped out. However, like Ayers, the former New Jersey governor put an end to the rumors on Friday afternoon.
“It’s an honor to have the president consider me as he looks to choose a new White House chief of staff,” the former governor said in a statement. “However, I’ve told the president that now is not the right time for me or my family to undertake this serious assignment. As a result, I have asked him to no longer keep me in any of his considerations for this post.”
And again deleting clarifying earlier post, right statement this time – Christie was not offered the job, took himself out of running. pic.twitter.com/hIRUyIcHwh
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) December 14, 2018
Obviously, given Christie’s relationship with Trump—including his booting from the president’s transition team (and the meatloaf incident)—people online were amused, and even proud of Christe, for the recent turn of events.
https://twitter.com/MattZeitlin/status/1073667139058294784
tfw u r too busy to work as trump's chief of staff pic.twitter.com/JhqJFfLVk3
— David Mack (@davidmackau) December 14, 2018
Chris Christie says #thankunext pic.twitter.com/piII1uZGq9
— Christians for Kanye ⛷ (@samspadino) December 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/RunwayBrandon/status/1073675607760879617
Others re-purposed the photo of Christie on a beach that was taken during a government shutdown, where all other public beaches were closed.
When you've turned your phone off and aren't returning his calls. pic.twitter.com/2mV0040sms
— Mr. Butter Chicken (2020 Elite Edition) (@MrButterChicken) December 14, 2018
tfw u r too busy to work as trump's chief of staff pic.twitter.com/JhqJFfLVk3
— David Mack (@davidmackau) December 14, 2018
Chris Christie: Not taking that Chief of Staff job. Wanna hang out?
— Baritone Liberavoice (@redstmiscreant) December 14, 2018
Pence: ____________________
Christie: You ok pal?
Pence: ____________________
Christie: You might wanna take that suit off -we're at the beach for chrissakes!
Pence:___________________
Christie: I like this guy! pic.twitter.com/2YB5xYfSja
Chris Christie watching the Trump administration go down in flames pic.twitter.com/8eJCB4H0CW
— Jonathan Keplinger (@theoriginalkep) December 14, 2018
Chris Christie had to turn down Trump's Chief of Staff offer because he's already accepted a seasonal job… pic.twitter.com/m0ItllyNdk
— Gloria Bernstein G-Train (@GloriaBB2) December 14, 2018
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