Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton was caught on a hot mic Monday speculating on why New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie endorsed “dangerous” GOP front-runner Donald Trump.
The former secretary of state made the comments to MSNBC host Chris Matthews during a commercial break while taping a town hall.
“You guys can’t stop covering him,” Mrs. Clinton said of Mr. Trump, according to a clip published by The Washington Post. “He is a dangerous presence.”
Mr. Matthews admitted that his network has a “progressive audience” and suggested that people like to watch Mr. Trump so they can “laugh at him.”
The subject then quickly turned to Mr. Christie.
“Why did he support him?” Mrs. Clinton asked.
Mr. Matthews speculated that former candidates are supporting Mr. Trump because they “want a future” politically.
“Did he have a debt?” Mrs. Clinton wondered.
Mr. Matthews didn’t entertain the question and went on to explain that Mr. Christie didn’t have anywhere else to go in New Jersey politics.
“I don’t think [Mr. Christie] can win as a Senate candidate either,” Mr. Matthews said, arguing that New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat, “isn’t going anywhere.”
The two joked about “Tommy Smothers” and “Ed Sullivan” for a minute more before Mr. Matthews asked Mrs. Clinton, “Did you watch the end of Downton Abbey?”
The audio cut out just before Mrs. Clinton could answer the question, The Post reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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