Over the past several weeks, press coverage of the Trump administration has orbited around president’s chief strategist, Stephen Bannon sparring with Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his ally, chief economic adviser Gary Cohn over who will be more influential to the president. But the person who really controls Trump’s brain is not in the White House.
Gov. Chris Christie has notable influence in Trump’s administration, according to a report by Politico published Monday.
Citing anonymous sources, politico reveals that Trump sometimes tells aides what “Chris says” when discussing any particular issue.
Christie, who has been friends with Trump for 15 years and is a fellow Republican, was not only appointed by the president to head a new federal commission on fighting opioid addiction, he also speaks to Trump several times a week and recently spent much of two days in the Oval Office advising Trump.
As reported by Raw Story:
Trump constantly asks Christie about his administration’s performance and sent the New Jersey governor out to speak with White House officials and report back. In addition, Trump often calls Christie on the phone at night and will sometimes tell aides what “Chris says” after their talks.
Trump respects Christie because, unlike some of the president’s aides, the governor doesn’t mince words, according to the report.
Christie was a top adviser to Trump throughout his presidential campaign and served as chairman of Trump’s transition team.
Unlike the rest of Trump’s advisors, Christie’s role is more nebulous, like a mafia deal, with phone calls behind closed doors and no public knowledge of Christie’s trips to the White House.
