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Christie Blasts Cruz for 'Awful, Selfish' RNC Speech That Didn't Endorse Trump

July 20, 2016

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie blasted Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) over his Republican National Convention address Wednesday night, calling it an "awful, selfish speech."

Cruz congratulated former bitter rival Donald Trump for winning the nomination, but he declined to endorse him in his remarks, leading to loud boos as he left the stage.

In an interview with NBC's Hallie Jackson, Christie spoke quietly and angrily while Newt Gingrich gave his speech on the stage.

"It was an awful, selfish speech by someone who tonight, through the words he said on that stage, showed everybody why he has richly earned the reputation that he has on Capitol Hill," Christie said.

Christie said all 17 GOP candidates signed a pledge to support the nominee without qualification.

"I don't understand how someone can present themselves as a person of integrity and then come into this room tonight and give that cute speech he gave," he said. "And that was cute. You know, don't stay home in November ... I just think it was an awful performance by someone who showed himself tonight to not be a man of his word."

Christie dropped out of the presidential race in February and was one of the first major party figures to endorse Trump's candidacy.