December 04, 2016
Nearly a month has passed since Donald Trump was elected President of the United States, turning national expectations on their head and setting off a surge in vandalism from both ends of the political spectrum, including several cases in Philadelphia.
The political fortunes of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie have meanwhile been a daily source of speculation for months, shifting from a pair of political obituaries to rumors of his wish to lead the Republican National Committee. All the while, Christie has publicly maintained his intention to finish out his second term in New Jersey, though he's also left the door open to a new role under the right set of cicumstances.
Over the weekend, Christie watchers were dealt a double-take when a satirical New Yorker article was packaged on search engines and content platforms as if it were a real crime report.
Andy Borowitz, a regular humor columnist for the New Yorker, wrote in Saturday's "Borowitz Report" that Christie had been arrested for vandalizing Donald Trump's limousine.
The incident, which rocked political circles in Trenton and Washington, happened in full view of the midtown-Manhattan crowds outside of Trump Tower, where the vandalized limo had been parked.
“Suddenly, this guy broke through security, whipped out his keys, and made a gigantic gash along the side of the limo,” said Harland Dorrinson, a tourist from Missouri who witnessed the incident. “Police started wrestling him to the ground, and I was, like, ‘Holy crap, that’s Chris Christie. ”
Anyone reading such an article on The New Yorker would probably have chuckled and move on with their day. The force of the headline, however, had some convinced it might be true.
This isn't true, is it? | Chris Christie Arrested for Keying Trump’s Limo. https://t.co/slxQZTV6F5
— Chase (@chasePetsche) December 4, 2016
Chris Christie Arrested for Keying Trump’s Limo. https://t.co/LYTPpiQhiu @Canine_Rights HOLY CRAP...#CHRISTIE ARRESTED FOR KEYING TRUMPSLIMO
— EVA DUPREE (@AEVADUPREE) December 4, 2016
According to Snopes, The New Yorker article was picked up by content aggregators such as WN.com and goodviews.net, which aren't typically reserved for satire. Even Yahoo briefly pulled the article into its news feed.
Yahoo aggregates satirical report in news feed.
Chris Christie Arrested For Keying Donald Trump’s Limo Is Political Satire https://t.co/Q1WUH8ATmB #business #marketing pic.twitter.com/znF5WMdO9q
— Kenneth Hitchner (@KennethHitchner) December 4, 2016
"Reports that ... Chris Christie had been arrested for keying Donald Trump's limousine came from a satire page" https://t.co/FXXACdoJa9
— Ryan Hutchins (@ryanhutchins) December 4, 2016
Supposing that this joke story was not a joke, the motive for Christie to vandalize Trump's limo is plain as day in this Funny or Die diary from the New Jersey governor. Trump, according to the post, is "totally mean."
Dear Diary,
Today sucks. Usually I hate giving off negative vibes, but I just can't hide how MAD I am anymore. I need to have a vent sesh.
So, Trump has been considering me for a cabinet position in his adminstration (cool!!!) but he hasn't committed to any offers. I just feel like after all we've been through, he should be JUMPING at the chance to have me on his administration.
The good news is that Philadelphia police have nabbed suspects in acts of pro- and anti-Trump vandalism in South Philadelphia and Chestnut Hill. Chris Christie remains a free man.
