Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie has partly blamed his onetime friend, Donald Trump, for the recent surge in antisemitism and Islamophobia across the country. In a recent interview with CNN's "State of the Union," Christie claimed that Trump's language and lack of tolerance for others have emboldened individuals to act with hate.

"When you show intolerance towards everyone, which is what he does, you give permission as a leader for others to have their intolerance come out," Christie expressed. He further noted that this trend is not limited to Donald Trump alone, but is visible even among university professors on some of the nation's most prestigious campuses.

Christie's comments come amid a rise in hate incidents targeting both the Jewish and Muslim communities, prompting concerns about the harmful impact of inflammatory rhetoric on marginalized groups. Notably, President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is Jewish, and his daughter, Ivanka Trump, converted to Judaism.

During his presidency, Donald Trump positioned himself as a staunch supporter of Israel, recognizing Jerusalem as its capital and facilitating the Abraham Accords. However, critics argue that his divisive language and policies have contributed to an atmosphere of intolerance.

The Washington Post reached out to the Trump campaign for comment but did not receive a response at the time of writing.

Chris Christie, 61, has positioned himself as a candidate equipped to counter Trump's attacks in the upcoming 2024 GOP contest. He identified the four major contenders for the nomination as Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, himself, and Nikki Haley, the former UN ambassador. Christie's campaign has focused on New Hampshire as a key battleground, where he currently stands in third place behind Trump and Haley.

Although Christie is trailing in the polls, he remains optimistic about his chances, drawing parallels to the late Senator John McCain's third-place standing in New Hampshire during the 2008 election cycle. Christie stated that people are just beginning to engage in the political process, especially in places like New Hampshire.

His campaign has confirmed that Christie has qualified for the fourth GOP debate, scheduled for December 6th in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Despite the competition he faces, Christie remains committed to staying in the Republican race for the long haul.

The impact of leaders' rhetoric on societal attitudes and behaviors continues to be a topic of concern, with Christie's comments shedding light on the potential consequences of divisive language in the political realm.