Trump confidently sizes up remaining GOP field before Monday’s Iowa caucuses

Former President Donald Trump is grading the rest of the GOP field as failures before the primary season kicks off Monday in Iowa, confirming Chris Christie is “kaput” and banking on a victory over surging candidate Nikki Haley.

Mr. Trump, writing on Truth Social, outlined a report card on his competitors as pundits consider whether Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis or Ms. Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, will cut into his lead in the Iowa caucuses or the New Hampshire primary on Jan. 23.

Mr. Trump said “Ron DeSanctimonious” has fallen from his second-place perch to “solid third place.”

And Mr. Trump said his MAGA movement will brave the Iowa cold Monday, leaving Ms. Haley without a path to make up her double-digit deficit to the front-runner.

He panned Mr. Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, for dropping out before the New Hampshire primary.

Mr. Trump is betting Mr. Christie will back former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, “who last week cracked 1% for the first time, before falling back down to zero.”

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The former president’s appraisal reflects his confidence heading into the final days before voting begins.

A national polling average from FiveThirtyEight has 6 in 10 GOP voters opting for Mr. Trump while Mr. DeSantis and Ms. Haley duke it out around 12% apiece.

Ms. Haley is surging to within relative striking distance of Mr. Trump in New Hampshire.

Mr. Christie suspended his campaign Wednesday despite investigating heavily in the Granite State. He is staying engaged by ripping Mr. Trump, whom he endorsed for president in 2016 before a dramatic falling out with the ex-president.

Mr. Christie’s decision to withdraw could clear the way for Ms. Haley to consolidate support, though he was caught on a hot mic predicting the South Carolinian would fail.

Mr. Trump, who agrees with that assessment, lashed out at Mr. Christie for continuing to criticize him.

“Chris is desperately seeking a TV job, but sadly, no one wants him,” Mr. Trump wrote. “ABC FAKE NEWS can get him back for half of what they were paying him. May he rest in peace!”