TRENTON, NJ — Tensions in New Jersey’s Republican ranks escalated Saturday as conservative commentator andf Trump delegate Mike Crispi lashed out at GOP gubernatorial hopeful Bill Spadea, accusing him of political duplicity and disloyalty to President Donald Trump.
Crispi’s criticism came after a resurfaced article from New Jersey 101.5 showed Spadea suggesting on January 13, 2021 — one week after the Capitol riot — that Trump should have resigned and hoped for a pardon from then-Vice President Mike Pence.
The op-ed by Spadea entitled, “Three reasons Trump’s presidency failed“, lashed out at the President calling his presidency a failure on three fronts.
“He’s beaten. He’s tired… He would have been better off resigning the office during the speech and hoping that Pence would pardon him,” Spadea wrote at the time.
Key Points:
- Mike Crispi criticized Bill Spadea over resurfaced 2021 article suggesting Trump resign
- Spadea wrote that Trump was “beaten” and “tired” and should seek a pardon from Pence
- Crispi accused Spadea of political opportunism and disloyalty to Trump
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Crispi wrote: “I’m loyal to President Donald J. Trump. Always have been, always will be. Sadly, many FAKES only want to act like it when it suits them.” He continued, “Can’t count on Spadea then, can’t count on him now.”
Spadea, who has branded himself as a strong supporter of Trump in recent years, has not publicly responded to the criticism. The revived comments have raised questions among some Trump-aligned Republicans about Spadea’s consistency and credibility as he considers a run for governor in 2025.
Crispi, a prominent figure in New Jersey’s pro-Trump grassroots movement, has built his platform on loyalty to the former president and has not shied away from calling out what he views as disingenuous behavior within the party.
The post-election fallout continues to shape the GOP landscape in New Jersey, where loyalty to Trump remains a litmus test for many Republican voters.