Chris Christie Says 'Bridgegate' Helped Ruin His Donald Trump VP Hopes As Trial Starts [VIDEO]

Gov. Chris Christie says "Bridgegate" helped ruin his chances to become Donald Trump's vice presidential pick, just as a trial is set to begin involving the scandal's alleged conspirators.

Christie joined Brian Williams on MSNBC’s “The 11th Hour” Wednesday night to discuss the Trump campaign as well as the political payback scheme involving the illegal closing of George Washington Bridge lanes. "I’m sure it was a factor," Christie replied when Williams asked him what role Bridgegate played in Trump's decision to not select the New Jersey governor as his running mate.

The trial involving two alleged Bridgegate conspirators who were indicted in connection with the scandal, meanwhile, is set to begin Monday and last as long as a month.

The two indicted were Bridget Anne Kelly, the governor’s former deputy chief of staff, and Bill Baroni, the top Christie executive appointee at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

David Wildstein, the Christie-appointed Port Authority official also behind the “Bridgegate," has pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy. The scheme was intended to be political payback against the Fort Lee mayor for not endorsing Christie in his 2013 re-election bid.

Here is a transcript of Christie's remarks provided by MSNBC and the video:

WILLIAMS: Have you been promised a role in a Trump administration?

CHRISTIE: No.

WILLIAMS: Would you like a role in a Trump administration if there is to be one?

CHRISTIE: It depends on what I’m offered.

WILLIAMS: Has it been uncomfortable for you on the inner circle, as a prosecutor, you went after and locked up Jared Kushner's father, Jared Kushner who is now Trump's son-in-law, has that made things dicey?

CHRISTIE: No. Jared and I have gotten along really well. We have a great relationship professionally, and we’re really developing a personal relationship. And so, it hasn’t made it all -- listen, life takes us through lots of different roads. And if you had told me ten years ago that this is the road I’d be on now, I wouldn't have believed it.

WALLACE: Ten months ago.

CHRISTIE: Maybe. But, you know, no, it hasn’t -- it hasn’t been a problem, Brian.

WILLIAMS: Do you -- how much of a factor do you believe the trouble with the Bridgegate was a factor in you not getting picked for vice president?

CHRISTIE: I’m sure it was a factor.

WILLIAMS: How big?

CHRISTIE: You would have to ask him. But I’m sure it was a factor.

Patch file photo