Video stream catches Christie on the hot mic before the event

As speculation swirled about his future in the presidential race, Chris Christie was caught on a hot mic during his campaign’s livestream during a conversation before his planned event in Windham, NH, discussing his Republican rivals in the race.

“She’s going to smoke, and you and I both know it,” Mr. Christie said in the conversation, apparently referring to Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina. “She’s not against this.”

He noted that “she has spent $68 million just on TV, and has spent $68 million so far,” which is about the total Ms. Haley and her allies have spent on television advertising during the race.

Mr. Christie continued, “Fifty-nine million from DeSantis, and we spent twelve. I mean, who punches their weight, and who gets a return on their investment?”

Mr Christie then said: “DeSantis called me, petrified.”

Someone responded by speculating that Mr. DeSantis would “probably leave after Iowa.”

The live stream audio cut out after a few minutes and in the middle of a sentence. The video stream was deleted moments later.