Oops: Christie says he’ll make U.S. friends with Jordan king who died in 1999

Throughout Tuesday night's GOP presidental debate in Las Vegas, Chris Christie struck a commanding tone — playing up his executive experience and stressing he was the only candidate to prosecute terrorists.

But as the New Jersey governor sought to demonstrate he'd lead an America that allies could trust, he made one big gaff.

“When I stand across from King Hussein of Jordan and I say to him, ‘You have a friend again sir, who will stand with you to fight this fight,’ he'll change his mind,” Christie said.

Hussein died in 1999. His son, King Abdullah II, has run the country since.

It's a simple, but surprising slip — since Christie and his family had been guests of Abdullah II in 2012, when Abdullah II covered their $30,000 hotel tab, the New York Times reported.