President Donald Trump on Monday recognized his former critic Jack Ciattarelli as governor of New Jersey.
"Jack Ciattarelli is an excellent first candidate in the United States, becoming the next governor of the state I like, New Jersey!" Trump wrote in a post about the Truth Society.
Trump said Ciattarelli has "all" and if elected, he will work closely with the Trump administration to develop the economy, cut taxes and regulations, help protect borders, stop immigration crimes, protect veterans, promote U.S. energy, and more.
“Also, Jack is the Republican candidate, he is most capable of fighting the radical Left Democrats and most importantly, ensuring a huge victory in this very important governoral election, an election that the whole world is watching closely because we finally woke up, we finally woke up, without all the other nonsense, and didn’t want to see it, and come back!
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Jack Ciattarelli has been recognized by President Donald Trump as governor of New Jersey. (Getty Image)
Ciattarelli responded to X's recognition, saying he was "really modest and honored to have the very strong recognition of President Trump today. It's time to unite our party, win a big win in November and make New Jersey affordable and safe again." Ciattarelli said: "When I was governor, we would."
Trump and Sitarelli seem to be turning into new leaves. Ciattarelli was once a critic of Trump, even calling Trump "Charlatan" and said he was "unsuitable for being the president of the United States" in 2015.
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Since these comments, Ciattarelli seems to have changed his stance on Trump, even seeing the 2020 rally in Trump's Wildwood, New Jersey, shaking hands and taking pictures with event participants.
Ciattarelli seems to have gained popularity within three points of the defeat of Democratic incumbent Governor Phil Murphy.
Now, he will face conservative broadcaster Bill Spadea and state Senator Jon Bramnick in the June 10 Republican primary.
Conservative broadcaster Bill Spadea also served as the next governor of New Jersey. (Bobby Bank/Getty Images)
Spadea responded to Trump's approval of Ciattarelli in a statement to Fox News Digital.
"Donald Trump's recognition was after Jack's lying to his own record," Spadea said in a way. "My determination to fight for the people of New Jersey has never been greater. I intend to continue fighting for America's first agenda because that's the best for the country and our country."
Trump invested a lot of political influence in the New Jersey governor race on Monday - providing full recognition to former critic Jack Ciattarelli. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty)
The New Jersey Democratic Governors Association (DGA) also blows up the recognition.
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"This recognition only confirms what we already know: Jack Ciattarelli will put Donald Trump in New Jersey," DGA Communications Director Sam Newton said in a statement. "As governor, Ciattarelli will bring Trump's higher costs and chaos agenda to Trenton, rather than working to protect New Jersey's freedom and working to make life more affordable."
Nick Butler is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Do you have any tips? Contact nick.butler@fox.com.