Save 50% on a 3-month Digiday+ membership. Ends Dec 5.
#TellingItLikeItIs: Chris Christie’s hashtag is hijacked by critics over his record
If a presidential candidate isn’t being attacked online, are they actually running? First, Jeb Bush’s overly excited logo that caused him grief, then came the Donald’s implosion. Today, a hashtag has gone off the rails for Chris Christie.
The New Jersey governor announced he’s joining the crowded Republican pack currently running for president. He launched it with the hashtag #TellingItLikeItIs, a nod to his brutish personality.
“Less than 10 out. I’m ready #TellingItLikeItIs,” he tweeted. What happened next should come as a surprise to no one.
It wasn’t long before his campaign lost control of the hashtag and Twitter users began pointing out the his record’s flaws. Social media analytics service Topsy measured 4,000 tweets with the hashtag, a majority of them skewing negative.
His harshest critics used the hashtag to attack his record, like this one from the New Jersey Education Association:
Report card for @GovChristie. #TellingItLikeItIs #NoChristie pic.twitter.com/FnmWoRM7sY
— NJEA (@NJEA) June 30, 2015
Other teachers, with whom Christie has fought publicly over pensions, also joined in the trolling:
I work hard for my pension AND pay for it. Teachers are “gluttons”? Look in the mirror. Liar. #TellingItLikeItIs pic.twitter.com/3qwIwhq3x6
— Dayna Orlak (@desiorlak) June 30, 2015
@newsnyork #TellingItLikeItIs #ChristieLies teacher attacking POTUS candidate. beware. #FundNJPension pic.twitter.com/A3TNW3Jc2C
— Diane Mackay (@snoopsrulez) June 29, 2015
Hey #ChrisChristie ! Didn’t the superintendent from your high school say that you are bad for schools? #TellingItLikeItIs
— Patrick Coyne (@PatrickCoyne18) June 30, 2015
#TellingItLikeItIs #fundnjpension pic.twitter.com/tJ5dpqJiad
— Lisa Neavear (@speshalteacher) June 30, 2015
Planned Parenthood used the hashtag to call out Christie’s track record on women’s health.
#TellingItLikeItIs: While Chris Christie has been pandering to the far right, NJ women paid the price #NotMyCandidate pic.twitter.com/VMHYvLbFbH
— Planned Parenthood (@PPact) June 30, 2015
And others pounded Christie over his handling of Hurricane Sandy.
Christie allowed toxic Hurcn. Sandy waste dumping in Roxbury NJ. #TellingItLikeItIs #Christie2016 #FenimoreLandfill pic.twitter.com/DMWUtjyk2R
— Aaron Markworth (@amarkworth) June 30, 2015
Nothing but damage to NJ families. Sandy victims still homeless and he’s on the road?@GovChristie #TellingItLikeItIs pic.twitter.com/IVZcu7KDIs
— Dayna Orlak (@desiorlak) June 30, 2015
Lies, lies and more lies. #TellingItLikeItIs #bully #sandy pic.twitter.com/snNTrWqWTs
— ChristieNo16 (@NoChristie16) June 30, 2015
Welcome to the campaign trail, Chris — it’s going to be a long one. But don’t blame us for #TellingItLikeItIs.
More in Marketing
Visa extends its reach into the creator economy’s liquidity crunch
The financial firm is working with creator financial platform Lumanu.
Why Carter’s new CMO wants more emotional, relatable marketing across channels
Carter’s CMO Sarah Crockett joined the company in the summer of 2025 with a goal of doing more realistic, relevant storytelling around childhood and parenting. In an interview with Modern Retail, she shared more about her approach.
U.K. retailer Tesco wants advertisers to see it as equal to any traditional media partner
Tesco’s client development director, Nick Ashley, talked to Digiday about its latest Upfront, the importance of shopper data, as well as how much its ad business impacts profit margins.