News/Commentary

Bret Baier scolds debate audience when it won’t stop booing Chris Christie

August 24, 2023 | | Print Article

GOP debate moderator Bret Baier had to rein in the audience who aggressively booed Chris Christie during the first Republican primary debate as he attempted to trash former President Trump.

(Video Credit: Fox News)

The Fox News anchor basically turned around and scolded attendees, advising them that they were slowing down the process and they should just let the debate play out.

“We are going to take a brief moment and talk about the elephant not in the room,” declared Baier, before asking the candidates, “You all signed a pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee. If former President Trump is convicted in a court of law, would you still support him as your party’s choice? Please raise your hand if you would.”

Six of the candidates raised their hands in support of Trump. Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.) did not, which is no surprise since he has been very vocal in hating Trump. Chris Christie wagged his finger from side to side in a disapproving gesture.

“Hold on. To just be clear, Governor Christie, you were kind of late to the game. But you raised your hand?” Baier asked Christie, trying to get clarification on his support of Trump or not.

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“No, I am doing this,” Christie replied, wagging his finger again, “not this,” he said raising his hand.

“Here’s the bottom line; Someone’s got to stop normalizing this conduct, OK? Whether or not you believe that the criminal charges are right or wrong, the conduct is beneath the office of president of the United States,” Christie commented amid cheers and boos. “And, you know, this is the great thing about this country, booing is allowed but it doesn’t change the truth. It doesn’t change the truth.”

Vivek Ramaswamy slammed Christie for going after Trump.

“Let’s just speak the truth, okay? President Trump, I believe, was the best president of the 21st century. It’s a fact, and Chris Christie, honest to God, your claim that Donald Trump is motivated by vengeance and grievance would be a lot more credible if your entire campaign were not based on vengeance and grievance against one man,” Ramaswamy stated torching Christie.

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“And if people at home want to see a bunch of people blindly bashing Donald Trump without an iota of vision for this country, they can just change the channel to MSNBC right now, but I’m not running for president of MSNBC. I am running for president of the United States. We’re skating on thin ice and we cannot set a precedent where the party in power uses police force to indict its political opponents,” he proclaimed.

“You know, let me tell you something,” Christie responded. “You make me laugh because you sit here and answer, you sit here and answer…”

As Christie attempted to clap back at Ramaswamy, the crowd drowned him out with jeers and boos.

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“Hold on, Governor Christie,” Baier interjected and then turned to the audience.

“So, listen, the more time we spend doing this, the less time they can talk about issues you want to talk about. So, let’s just get through this section,” Baier remarked before continuing on.

It should be noted that Christie was booed as he was introduced at the beginning of the debate as well.

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Christie is despised by much of the GOP these days and the booing will likely not stop:

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