New Jersey

Chris Christie Calls Reports He Was Denied VIP Entry at Newark Airport ‘Pure Fiction'

On Twitter, Christie called reports of the incident "absolutely false"

What to Know

  • Chris Christie was apparently forbidden from entering a special access area at Newark Airport he had used during his time as governor
  • Christie denied reports of the incident, saying his security detail didn't try to enter the way he had as governor
  • Christie ended his time as New Jersey governor on Tuesday

Chris Christie is blasting reports he was denied entry to a special entrance he used as governor while passing through security at Newark Airport on Thursday. 

The Republican ex-governor took to Twitter Thursday night, calling reports of the incident "absolutely false" and "pure fiction." He said the entrance he was trying to use and the entrance he ended up using were neither the one he used as governor.  

Earlier in the day, Christie and his New Jersey State Police security detail arrived at Newark Liberty Airport, two days after he left office. They headed to a special access area used by dignitaries for security clearance.

But a law enforcement official familiar with the encounter told The Associated Press that a Port Authority police officer and a Transportation Security Administration officer directed them to the regular screening line for all passengers. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to publicly discuss the matter.

The official said Christie complied and did not attempt to use the special entrance.

But in two tweets hours later, Christie said TSA and Port Authority officer simply informed his security detail that they were entering the wrong way and redirected them to another entrance. 

"Neither option was the way I entered the airport as Governor (wrong in the story) and PAPD officer never denied me entry at either place (also wrong in story)," Christie wrote. 

Christie called the officer "a gentleman" who "when he got the right info he took me to the right place." 

"Pure fiction," Christie said of the reports. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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