Why is Chris Christie running for president?

In 2016, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was one of the first prominent Republican candidates for president to drop out of the race and throw his support behind Donald Trump. Now, he's launching his second bid for the oval office — with the express purpose of challenging former President Trump. Yahoo News explains why "Because Truth Matters" is more than a campaign slogan for Christie.

Video Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING]

- Chris Christie, infamous two-term Republican governor of New Jersey. Critics have described him as brash--

CHRIS CHRISTIE: The teachers unions deserve a political punch in the face.

- --confrontational--

CHRIS CHRISTIE: Can you get to it already?

- --and maybe even a bit of a bully.

CHRIS CHRISTIE: You just hire stupid people [INAUDIBLE] you, [? Tosi: ?]

- Although, he describes himself as someone who tells it like it is.

CHRIS CHRISTIE: I am who I am. And that sometimes is going to include things that I wish I could take back. But they never have to wonder what I'm thinking.

- Now, after a five-year break from public office, he's running for president. And the reason why is very much in keeping with his reputation.

CHRIS CHRISTIE: I am going out there to take out Donald Trump. But here's why, I want to win. And I don't want him to win.

- See, after a short-lived run for the White House in 2016, Christie was the first governor to board the Trump train, going on to act as an advisor in the Trump administration and 2020 re-election campaign. But while preparing for the debates, this happened.

- President Trump and the First Lady have tested positive for the coronavirus.

CHRIS CHRISTIE: No one was wearing masks in the room when we were prepping the president during that period of time.

- Then, this happened.

- Christie is now one of several members of the President's inner circle who have tested positive for the virus.

CHRIS CHRISTIE: I made a mistake. I was wrong. And I'm fortunate to be sitting here this morning.

- And then, this happened.

DONALD TRUMP: Frankly, we did win this election.

CHRIS CHRISTIE: That's when it was over for me with Donald.

- Since then, Christie has become one of Trump's harshest critics within the GOP, even earning himself a Trump nickname-- Sloppy Chris Christie.

CHRIS CHRISTIE: What a child he is. And if we had a child who conducted themselves like that, we'd send them to their room, not to the White House.

- Ideologically, Christie is still very much to the right of center. Albeit, with a more moderate approach you might expect from a former Republican governor of a deep-blue state. He supports military aid to Ukraine, but doesn't want US troops directly involved. He's pro-life but seeks a middle ground on reproductive rights. Acknowledges that climate change is real, but thinks the economy should take priority.

And while his 2024 campaign has been light in the way of specific policy proposals, if there's one thing Chris Christie wants primary voters to know it's that he's running because truth matters. And he's not afraid to tell it like it is, even if that means alienating a large swath of his own party.

[CROWD BOOING]

CHRIS CHRISTIE: You can boo all you want. But here's the thing--

People have to stand up and take accountability for what they do.

[CHEERS, APPLAUSE]