Donald Trump ‘profits’ only from chaos and turmoil: Gov. Christie

Former President Donald Trump’s call for protests ahead of a possible indictment stems from his desire to create “chaos and turmoil,” former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said.

Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday that he expects to be arrested Tuesday after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg investigated an alleged payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The hush payment was allegedly made during his 2016 presidential campaign over an alleged affair between the two, which he has denied.

Trump has maintained his innocence in the case, and he and his allies have accused Bragg of launching a politically motivated investigation. Others, however, say the alleged campaign finance breach should have been investigated years ago.

Christie, who helped run Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign but has since turned against the ex-president, opened up about Trump’s social media post during an appearance on ABC News. This week on Sunday. He described Trump’s post as part of a political “circus” and explained why the ex-president was calling for protests.

“The circus continues,” Christie said. “See, he only profits and does well in chaos and turmoil. So he wants to create chaos and turmoil on his terms.”

Christie went on to say why an indictment will only hurt Trump if he runs in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, explaining that an indictment “helps nobody” if he’s running for political office.

He said he believes many Americans may be taking these investigations less seriously than other Trump investigations — including investigations into his behavior surrounding the 2020 presidential election and secret documents allegedly found at his Mar-a-Lago, Florida residence – but that his image could be damaged by the optics of an indictment.

“I don’t think the American people are likely to view this as a major crime,” Christie said. “But the vision of a former President of the United States being processed, being fingerprinted, mug shots being taken. What else do you expect Trump to say… other than say it’s helping his campaign? But being charged I don’t think it ever helps anyone.”

Some Republicans have suggested that impeachment would only help Trump’s 2024 bid. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said Saturday that Bragg “did more to help Donald Trump get elected president than any single person in America.”

Former US Attorney Gene Rossi said news week on Sunday that he believes Trump’s campaign could get a boost in the coming weeks, but an impeachment will be a net negative as Republican voters will realize they shouldn’t nominate an impeached candidate.

Rossi said Trump’s recent remarks were likely intended to garner support from his base but are unlikely to provide him with any legal benefit.

“If I were his defense attorney, I would cringe at the thought of my client posting something like this [Truth Social post] that implies violence given what happened on January 6,” he added. “More importantly, his post can be used as evidence if this goes to court and a trial ensues.”

news week emailed Trump’s campaign press office for comment.