Chris Christie Takes Shot At Trump For Calling Putin A 'Genius'

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took a shot at Donald Trump on Monday after the former president called Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine "genius" and "very savvy."

Christie's response came the day before Russian forces escalated their attacks on Ukraine's crowded urban areas, bombarding the central square in Ukraine’s second-biggest city and Kyiv's main TV tower in what the country's president called a blatant campaign of terror.

Ukrainian authorities said five people were killed in the attack on the TV tower. The United Nations human rights office said it has recorded 136 civilian deaths, though the real toll is believed to be far higher.

Christie's comments also mark the latest sign of friction between the former New Jersey governor and the country's 45th president, both of whom are considered contenders for the 2024 presidential election.

"How can anyone with any understanding of the world call Putin's decision to invade Ukraine 'genius' and 'very savvy' as we watch him unite the rest of the world against Russia in nearly an instant?" Christie tweeted.

"Putin has two choices now: an unwinnable occupation of Ukraine after leveling the country and murdering its hero President (if that is even achievable) or a humiliating retreat," Christie added. "Yeah, that's 'genius' and 'very savvy,' alright. No walking that back. History is watching."

Trump's comments were made a week ago during an interview on the conservative podcast "Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show."

"I went in yesterday and there was a television screen, and I said, 'This is genius.' Putin declares a big portion ... of Ukraine, Putin declares it as independent," Trump said. "So, Putin is now saying, 'It's independent,' a large section of Ukraine. I said, 'How smart is that?' And he's gonna go in and be a peacekeeper. That's [the] strongest peace force."