Chris Christie has lunch with Trump amid job speculation
Chris Christie chowed down with President Trump at the White House Tuesday amid speculation that the New Jersey governor might join the administration as it grapples with growing pains.
Christie and wife Mary Pat had a Valentine’s Day’s lunch with the commander in chief the day after Trump ousted his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and amid chatter among Trump allies that more shakeups are coming.
A source close to Christie told The Post that possible ­administration positions were discussed.
“I heard it was about chief of staff,” the source said.
But the White House said the conversation was about curbing opioid abuse, a major priority for the governor, and the chief-of-staff issue “didn’t even come up.”
“They talked about combating drugs briefly,” White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told The Post.
Spicer pushed back on speculation that Christie would be drafted to beef up the White house staff.
“I think Governor Christie said he has a year left of his administration and he intends to fully serve it out,” Spicer said.
“So we’re not discussing one month in what we intend to do in a year and a half. Let’s get there first.”
Christie, an early and effective surrogate for Trump during the election race, was previously passed up for vice president and was also replaced by VP Mike Pence to head up the White House transition team.
But Christie remained a loyal friend to Trump and blamed early White House problems, such as the botched immigration executive-order rollout, on staff that ­“ill-served” the president.
Christie’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
The closed-door meeting occurred as Trump allies were openly questioning Reince Priebus’ ability to serve as chief of staff.
The public complaints started Sunday when Christopher Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax Media, said Priebus was “in way over his head” and should be canned. Ruddy later softened his tone after talking with Priebus and reported that the White House has full confidence in the chief of staff.