President Donald Trump held a tele-rally with Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli on Monday evening, giving his support to the former assemblyman.
The five-minute call, conducted at 7 p.m., offered a sharp contrast to Trump’s signature in-person rallies, focusing tightly on campaign themes like immigration and property tax relief. Trump urged voters to back Ciattarelli, calling him a “true champion” and declaring, “New Jersey is ready to pop out of that blue horror show.”
Ciattarelli, a former assemblyman and the polling leader in a five-way Republican race to succeed outgoing Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, welcomed the endorsement. He and rival Bill Spadea, a former conservative radio host, had both actively courted Trump’s support throughout the campaign.
“Jack has what it takes to win,” Trump said. “He has my complete and total endorsement. Other people are going around saying I endorse them — that’s not true.”
Ciattarelli closed the call by thanking Trump and energizing supporters.
“He’s going to help us with a win this November and send a powerful message to the entire country that New Jersey is turning red,” Ciattarelli said.
The tele-rally format was a strategic choice for Ciattarelli, whose campaign is operating under the state’s public financing system, which includes a spending cap. Despite financial constraints, Ciattarelli’s strong polling and now Trump’s endorsement have solidified his front-runner status heading into the primary.
Spadea, meanwhile, responded to the endorsement with a new round of campaign ads, criticizing Trump’s decision and urging MAGA-aligned voters not to be swayed.