Chris Christie claims RNC hasn't sent him required loyalty pledge for August debate

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says that he has not received the Republican National Committee's candidate loyalty pledge, a key requirement to appear on the Aug. 23 debate stage.

"I haven’t been presented with the pledge yet," Christie said Sunday on ABC. "I’m sure I’ll be presented with the pledge at some point in the next week."

In addition to certain polling and donor requirements, candidates must agree to support the party's eventual nominee in order to appear on the debate stage. Former President Donald Trump has not committed to appearing on the stage but has stated he will not sign the pledge.

Christie, speaking to ABC's Jonathan Karl, insisted that the RNC likely would kick Trump off the stage should he refuse to sign the pledge, saying, "I think that they are serious about wanting this pledge signed."

The former New Jersey governor has largely directed his campaign against Trump since declaring his candidacy. He currently polls at 2.4% support in the RealClearPolitics polling average.

In terms of polling and donor thresholds, Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, tech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Bergum have qualified for the debate.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.