Former Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) warned that President Donald Trump’s declining approval ratings could push Republican candidates in competitive races to distance themselves from him ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Christie Warns GOP May Avoid Trump

On Monday, Christie made the remarks during an interview with ABC News, arguing that Trump’s standing among independent voters could become a major challenge for Republicans seeking reelection.

In a post on X, he said, "With his current approval rating, Republicans are going to treat Trump like he has malaria by the time we get to October."

During the interview, Christie said many Republicans may feel pressured to appear alongside Trump because he closely tracks political loyalty.