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With the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden happening next month, both candidates are preparing for what are sure to be some of the most consequential moments of their campaigns.
But at the current moment, the members of Donald Trump's debate prep team are generating laughter, because the four men have quite a history.
The prep team consists of former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, the President's son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner, Trump's latest campaign manager Bill Stepien, and senior advisor Jason Miller.
Republican Voters Against Trump (RVAT) political director Tim Miller pointed out their unconventional dynamic.
Trumps debate team is made up of 4 guys. The first put the second guys dad in jail and made the 3rd guy the fall man for their joint corruption. The 4th guy was kept out of the White House over a hooker scandal.
Motley crew. https://t.co/HGTOILTIpF pic.twitter.com/RYp1dANKR0
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) August 10, 2020
Before Chris Christie ascended to governor, he was a US attorney. That's when he prosecuted real estate developer Charles Kushner—Jared Kushner's father—who eventually went to prison on counts of fraud, tax evasion, witness tampering, and other crimes.
In his book, Christie accuses Jared Kushner of putting a "political hit job" on the former governor during his time in the White House as revenge for sending his father to prison.
Speaking of Christie's time as governor, Bill Stepien—who recently replaced Brad Parscale as Trump campaign manager—worked closely with Christie on both his campaign and his time in the Governor's Mansion.
On January 7, 2014, Christie nominated Stepien to chair the state's Republican party. Two days later, Christie said he'd "lost confidence" in Stepien and discouraged him from serving as party chairman. The reason? Stepien was a key player in the bridge scandal that would haunt Christie for the rest of his political career. Christie denied knowing anything about the scandal.
Jason Miller, one of Trump's former aides, admitted in court documents that he'd frequently had affairs while on the campaign and hired multiple sex workers. Miller was serving on Trump's White House transition team before the scandal broke, keeping him from working in the White House.
People were perplexed by the strange assembly.
pic.twitter.com/m27w7KfDTN
— The Lincoln Project 🏴☠️ (@ProjectLincoln) August 10, 2020
Five desperate men with nothing to lose.
— Karen Leavitt (@kleavitt) August 10, 2020
I thought hooker scandal was a prerequisite for a White House position.
— Sandy Stewart (@CoachSandyS) August 10, 2020
Please, please, please keep translating Trump-world for those of us who can't keep up.
— anti-pants/pro-mask (AKA, David Sundahl) (@dsundahl) August 10, 2020
That is a fine synopsis.
Of some sort of play.
Or is it a musical?
— Lalalinda Walker (@lalalindawalk) August 10, 2020
It's like a Laurel and Hardy bit.
— Josh Walker (@JAkinWalker) August 10, 2020
Only the best people for the well oiled machine.
— President Kevorkian (@FuhrerAmerican) August 10, 2020
As the debates grow nearer, speculation has been rampant.
POLL: Will Trump appear in all three scheduled Presidential debates?
— Tea Pain (@TeaPainUSA) August 9, 2020
Will Trump stalk Biden during the debates like he did with Clinton?
— Rise of the Alien Queen (@rise_alien) August 10, 2020
So... apparently Trump has started debate prep. Drop the gif that you think best represents how that's going.
Here's my selection: pic.twitter.com/V5r7kgZkbU
— Tokyo Sand | #VoteEarly (@DHStokyo) August 10, 2020
The first of the three presidential debates will be held on September 29.