On Thursday, New Jersey GOP Gov. Chris Christie held a press conference to address allegations that his appointees orchestrated a dangerous traffic jam for political revenge. Christie maintained that he was deceived by a member of his “circle of trust” and noted that he had fired his deputy chief of staff, Bridget Anne Kelly, who was implicated in the scandal. He insisted that he had not known that Kelly ordered the traffic problems until the news broke on Wednesday. But many commentators have wondered if this whole episode—whether Christie was in the know or not—has bolstered the view that Christie is a bully.
Christie took issue with this characterization at the press conference. He asserted, “I am who I am. But I am not a bully…The tone that we’ve set here [is] that I’m willing to compromise.” But those who have been the targets of Christie’s wrath disagree. And here are 8 videos of Christie yelling, belittling people, and name-calling—and most of the clips are promoted by Christie himself on his popular YouTube page:
1. Christie to a teacher: “If what you want to do is put on a show and giggle every time I talk, well then I have no interest in answering your question.”
?2. Christie to a former Navy SEAL: “Your rear end’s going to get thrown in jail, idiot.”
3. Christie to a reporter: “You know Tom, you must be the thinnest-skinned guy in America…you should really see me when I’m pissed.”
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?4. Christie to a constituent: “Hey Gail, you know what, first off it’s none of your business.”
?5. Christie to a former White House doctor: “This is just another hack who wants five minutes on TV…she should shut up.”
?6. Christie to an Occupy Wall Street protester: “Something may be going down tonight, but it ain’t going to be jobs, sweetheart.”
7. Christie to a reporter: “Are you stupid?…I’m sorry for the idiot over there.”
8. Christie to a person on the street: “You’re a real big shot. You’re a real big shot. Just keep walking away. Keep walking.”
