Chris Christie Endorses Donald Trump

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie just endorsed his former rival for the Republican presidential nomination, saying that Donald Trump "will do exactly what needs to be done to make America a leader around the world again," according to the New York Times.

Speaking just days before Super Tuesday, at a press conference in Fort Worth, Texas, Christie pointed to his family's long friendship with Trump's family, saying that he finalized his endorsement the day before, concluding that Trump was the best candidate to ensure that "Hillary Clinton doesn't get within 100 feet of the White House."

"He's lived a lot of life," Christie said of Trump. "There is no better fighter than Donald Trump, and he's going to fight for the American people."

"This was an endorsement that really meant a lot," Trump said. "Chris is an outstanding man, with an outstanding family. ... I think this is the one endorsement I felt very strongly about, that I really wanted to get."

When asked by a reporter about the recent endorsement Trump received from David Duke, a former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, Trump claimed he was unaware that the white supremacist had endorsed him.

"I disavow, OK?" Trump replied.

Roughly half of today's press conference was dedicated to insulting Florida Sen. and rival presidential hopeful Marco Rubio, who launched his most pointed attack on Trump yet during Thursday night's debate.

"Marco Rubio is a lightweight," said Trump today in Texas. "He doesn't have the talent, he doesn't have the temperament ... to make America great again."

Trump also touched on reported tensions between Rubio and himself backstage at last night's debate, saying that he watched the Florida senator putting on "pounds" of makeup before taking the stage.

"I said, 'Marco, easy with the makeup,'" Trump recounted. "You don't need that much."

Later, Trump called Rubio a "nervous nelly," adding that "I have never seen a human being sweat like this man sweats."

In a characteristically tense exchange with reporters, Trump and Christie both refused to comment on speculation that Christie was being considered as Trump's running-mate, should the businessman win the GOP nomination. Trump lauded the New Jersey governor as "very talented," while Christie said he intends to fulfill his term as governor, which goes through January 2018. At that point, Christie said he intends to go into the private sector and "make money like Trump."

This story is developing. Check back for updates.