New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Donald Trump's comments were accidental, referring to Trump saying that women who get abortions should be "punished."
In an interview on New Jersey radio station 101.5's
"Ask the Governor," Christie said, "I think he misspoke. I think he obviously misspoke."
Trump made the comments during an interview on NBC's "Hardball," and later clarified his comments in a statement,
reported by CNN, in which he said he meant doctors who perform the abortions should be punished, if abortions are made illegal.
Christie said he believed Trump's statements were blown out of proportion, especially since Trump clarified them later. "Now if he didn't put out the statement afterward, and say 'Listen, this is what I really mean,' then that would be different."
"With him," Christie said, "everybody wants to make a bigger deal over it."
Christie agreed with Trump's clarification. "If, in fact, there comes a time in this country when states are permitted again to make abortion illegal, and someone were to perform an abortion, the person to be held responsible for that is the physician," not the woman, who "is a victim there, as is the child in her womb."
Christie has been advising Trump, and coached him for the most recent Republican debate,
reported NJ.com.
Christie said he was working on lining up slates of delegates for Trump's New Jersey primary in June. He said he and Trump have been friends for 14 years and he has helped him "get ready for things I think he might be asked."
When Trump made the comments, Christie was not at work,
reported the Asbury Park Press. He was attending a Princeton University baseball game where his son was playing.