Gov. Chris Christie met with President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence at Trump's Bedminster golf course Sunday.
BEDMINSTER -- The uncertainty over Gov. Chris Christie's future continues.
President-elect Donald Trump lavished praise on the New Jersey governor as the two met for a brief closed-door session at Trump's Somerset County golf course Sunday -- but Trump didn't say directly whether he's considering Christie for a position in his administration.
Christie was one of 12 dignitaries to visit Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster on a cold and snowy Sunday as Trump continues to hash out who will serve in his White House.
The meeting came just nine days after Trump, a longtime friend and a former Atlantic City casino magnate, removed the governor as chair of his presidential transition team. Trump put Vice President-elect Mike Pence in charge instead and made Christie one of several vice chairs.
Tales of Christie-Trump drama overblown, sources say
When the governor arrived outside the course's clubhouse, reporters asked Trump if there's a role for Christie in the administration.
"Very talented man," Trump responded as he posed with Christie for photos in front of the clubhouse's front door. "A great guy."
Asked which qualities about the governor stand out, Trump said: "Many qualities. Including smart and tough."
#ChrisChristie arrives to meet with #DonaldTrump at Bedminster. Christie didn't speak to the press. pic.twitter.com/u3um8yySRY
-- Brent Johnson (@johnsb01) November 20, 2016
Tales of Christie-Trump drama overblown, sources say
Christie emerged less than half an hour later. Trump said the meeting was "very good."
The governor said it was "great" as he walked to the SUV awaiting him. He didn't utter another word to the press.
#ChrisChristie has left after meeting with #DonaldTrump for less half an hour. pic.twitter.com/QY7dS86Ab4
-- Brent Johnson (@johnsb01) November 20, 2016
#DonaldTrump said the meeting was "very good." #ChrisChristie said it was "great." But no word on a job offer. pic.twitter.com/OYBUB7IbwH
-- Brent Johnson (@johnsb01) November 20, 2016
Jason Miller, a Trump spokesman, said Sunday he didn't "want to speculate" about Christie's future with the administration.
Trump didn't announce any appointments over the weekend in New Jersey.
"We've made a couple of deals, but we'll let you know soon," he said at the end of Sunday's meetings.
Asked if that means he has offered people positions and they've accepted, Trump replied: "Pretty true, pretty true."
Christie was one of the first Republicans to endorse Trump, was a finalist to be the businessman's running mate, and had long been considered a candidate for a top post in Trump's cabinet.
But numerous published reports citing anonymous sources in recent days said Trump and his team were bothered by the fallout of the Bridgegate scandal and how Christie managed the transition in his six months as chair.
Two Christie allies who asked to remain anonymous told NJ Advance Media that stories of such drama are overblown and that Trump and Christie's relationship is still strong.
The governor, who has a little more than a year left on his second and final term in New Jersey, said this past week he plans to finish out his tenure -- though he didn't rule out serving in Trump's administration.
Trump's weekend in Bedminster was the latest unusual chapter in his rise to the Oval Office.
After days holding meetings in Trump Tower in Manhattan -- with protestors, media members, and thousands of spectators filling Fifth Avenue below -- Trump moved the transition sessions to his secluded golf club in the rolling hills of Central Jersey horse country.
All day Saturday and Sunday, Trump welcomed a revolving door of politicians and business leaders into the course's clubhouse -- a brick mansion with white Roman columns that once belonged to another famed tycoon, the late automaker John DeLorean.
As visitor after visitor arrived in SUVs, Trump greeted them at the door, and they'd emerge afterwards to shake hands and pose for photos.
On Saturday, the list included former Republican presidential Mitt Romney, a frequent Trump critic who is now reportedly being considered for U.S. secretary of state. Trump also met with Lew Eisenberg, the Republican fundraiser who lives in Rumson and once served as Port Authority chairman. Eisenberg is reportedly a contender for secretary of commerce.
Sunday's visitors included Ari Emanuel, a Hollywood agent who is the brother of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel; billionaire investor Wilbur Ross, another possible commerce secretary candidate; and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Trump said Giuliani, a top adviser during the campaign, is being considered for secretary of state "and other things."
#RudyGuliani is up next at Bedminster. #DonaldTrump said he is considering him for secretary of state "and other things." pic.twitter.com/wtlCoZH3Qr
-- Brent Johnson (@johnsb01) November 20, 2016
Reporters were gathered in a pen in the clubhouse's driveway and shouted questions as Trump appeared outside the building throughout the weekend. Trump usually responded with short, sometime vague answers.
Sean Spicer, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee, said the meetings were not just job interviews. Many visitors, he said, offered ideas to Trump.
"It's truly intoxicating the level of excitement going on within the team," Spicer said.
Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook