Christie scolds Trump on stolen election rhetoric: Only inflames ‘without informing’

Trump ally and adviser Chris Christie on Thursday scolded President Trump for his rhetoric around the U.S. presidential election being “stolen” from him, with the former GOP New Jersey governor arguing that such claims only “inflame without informing.”

Christie, speaking on ABC, where he is a political analyst, responded to the president’s rhetoric that he would win the election if “illegal votes” weren’t counted.

“We heard nothing today about any evidence,” Christie said. “This kind of thing, all it does is inflame without informing. And we cannot permit inflammation without information.”

“If you’re gonna say those things from behind the podium at the White House, it’s his right to do it, it’s his right to pursue legal action. But show us the evidence,” Christie said. “I want to know what backs up what he said so that I can analyze it. And let me tell you, if he’s right, I’ll be outraged and I’m sure you would be too.”

“And if he’s wrong then the American people are going to be able to make the judgment about this election that the results have been fair,” he added.

The pushback comes after Trump alleged Thursday afternoon that he would “easily win” the election “if illegal votes” were not counted.

“This is a case where they’re trying to steal an election,” the president said. “They’re trying to rig an election, and we can’t let that happen.”

A number of other prominent Republicans on Capitol Hill have been largely silent regarding the president’s comments, making Christie the first Trump adviser to publicly condemn him on the remarks.