‘I’d Give The President An A’: Ciattarelli Praises Trump While Carefully Avoiding Him At Jersey Shore Rally

Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican candidate for New Jersey governor, is trying to balance two different things at once. He wants to excite Trump supporters while not pushing away moderate voters in a state where Donald Trump is not popular. Ciattarelli has Trump’s endorsement and often praises his work, but he is being careful about how much Trump appears in his campaign.

As per Politico, a MAGA rally happened on the Jersey Shore with big names from Trump’s world like Scott Presler, Benny Johnson, and Jack Posobiec. The event also had a vigil for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed last month. But one person was not there: President Trump himself.

Even though he tries to keep some space from Trump, Ciattarelli has been clear about praising the president. During a debate against his Democratic opponent, Representative Mikie Sherrill, Ciattarelli said, “I’d certainly give the president an A. I think he’s right about everything that he’s doing. He has secured the border and the economy.” Sherrill gave Trump an F rating and said his comment shows “all we need to know about who Jack Ciattarelli is supporting.”

Ciattarelli Tries To Distance Himself Without Angering Trump Supporters

The Republican candidate keeps getting attacked by Democrats who want to link him to Trump in a state where the president’s approval rating is very low. Sherrill’s campaign has made connecting Ciattarelli to Trump a main focus, with her spokesperson saying he is “in lockstep with Trump to try and save his flailing campaign.”

Ciattarelli has started to point out areas where he does not agree with the White House, like plans to cut jobs at Picatinny Arsenal and plans to hold immigrants at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. When asked at a debate if he sees himself as part of the MAGA movement, Ciattarelli said, “I’m part of a New Jersey movement.”

But these disagreements often get covered up by how much he praises Trump’s work. Ciattarelli often talks about the president’s ban on wind farms, his fight against congestion pricing, and his passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Pat Dennis, president of Democratic group American Bridge 21st Century, asked why Ciattarelli would “take the time out of your debate to defend a bill that straight up cuts Medicaid.”

None of his TV ads mention Trump’s endorsement, which is very different from his primary campaign. Instead, he often talks about support from local Democrats while staying quiet about backing from the president. 

Cape May GOP Chair Michael Donohue, who put together the Jersey Shore rally, said he did not plan the event thinking the president would come but stayed positive, saying that “there’s a great deal of enthusiasm and energy, which it’s going to take to win this state.” Sherrill told reporters that “watching Jack Ciattarelli try to tapdance his way out of this stuff seems to be becoming increasingly difficult for him.”