Chris Christie just endorsed Donald Trump for president

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a former Republican presidential contender himself, is endorsing Donald Trump.

"He has been a good and loyal friend to our family," Christie said at a press conference alongside Trump in Fort Worth, Texas, on Friday, adding that their families have been close for over a decade. "We've done a lot of good together, and I absolutely appreciate him as a person and as a friend."

Christie then assessed Trump's debate performance the previous night. "I was looking at the five people on that stage last night and he is the clear standout. ... He will do what needs to be done to protect the American people."

It seemed that Christie was also taking on the role of defending Trump against his rivals, using the announcement to take aim at Sen. Marco Rubio, who had seemingly picked up momentum after the punchy Thursday night debate.

Rubio's attacks on Trump, which drew praise from political commentators, amounted to "flailing punches in the last day of a losing campaign," Christie said.

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"The fact is, no one is going to get in this guy’s head," Christie said of Trump.

Trump stole Christie's role as a brash Northeastern tough-talker in the GOP race. But Christie is clearly still nursing a grudge against Trump's main rival at this point, flaying Rubio throughout the joint press conference as a lightweight not ready to be president.

The endorsement sheds new light on Christie's knee-capping Rubio at a GOP debate shortly before the New Hampshire primary.

"He totally destroyed Marco Rubio the other day," Trump said. "I was standing beside him and he melted."

Trump's attacks on Rubio don't seem to be stopping anytime soon, and in the last two days have made their way into most of his appearances.

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Christie's endorsement gives Trump a big shot of establishment credibility. It could also pay dividends from the term-limited New Jersey governor, with immediate buzz that he could join Trump as a vice-presidential candidate.

Christie sought to quash those rumors early on, saying he plans to "go off in the private sector" after his term is up, but Trump wasn't as willing to shut that door. "I don’t want to discuss that but he certainly has the talent," he said when asked about the possibility of Christie on his ticket.

Trump seemed impressed by Christie's reputation for being ruthless and brash on the campaign trail, and described him as "somebody who is a real standout.”

"He’s been my friend for many years. He has been a wonderful person and a wonderful loyal person,” Trump said.

Christie dropped out of the presidential race earlier this month after failing to gain traction in New Hampshire, a state where he had spent much of his time and efforts in his bid for the Republican nomination. 

Christie said he discussed with his family whether backing Trump was the right move, and then decided to lend his voice to the campaign once more.

The governor said he was willing to put past rivalries behind him when he came to the conclusion that Trump was the best hope for the Republican party in the 2016 campaign.

"There was a period of time when I was running against him, and he knew when I was running against him that I wanted to beat him and he wanted to beat me," Christie said. "But that part of this is over, and then you have to say to yourself as a good loyal American, who is the best person to stop Hillary Clinton from getting into the White House again? This is the person."

But the new found support marks a stark turn from Christie's comments just last month that made several clear jabs at Trump's campaign. Speaking during a New Hampshire rally on January 4, Christie made a veiled reference to Trump's campaign saying "showtime is over."

"We are not electing an entertainer-in-chief. Showmanship is fun, but it is not the kind of leadership that will change America," Christie said at the time. "If we are going to turn our frustration and anger with the D.C. insiders, the politicians of yesterday and the carnival barkers of today into something that actually changes American lives, we must elect someone who has been tested. Someone with proven experience."

Additional reporting by Cameron Joseph.

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