New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was quickly criticized for pushing back against claims Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBubba Wallace to be driver of Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin NASCAR team Graham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the election Southwest Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid MORE has kept up the "birther" issue against President Obama for the past five years.

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"It's just not true that he kept it up for five years," Christie said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."

"Sure he did," CNN's Jake Tapper shot back.

"It's simply not true," Christie replied.

"It is true," Tapper said again, pushing back against the New Jersey governor.

"It wasn't like he was talking about it on a regular basis until then. When the issue was raised, he made very clear the other day what his position is," Christie responded.

The GOP nominee on Friday said President Obama was born in the U.S. and put blame on his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonJoe Biden looks to expand election battleground into Trump country Biden leads Trump by 12 points among Catholic voters: poll The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden goes on offense MORE, for starting the birther movement.

Christie said during the interview he made clear his position on the birtherism issue a long time ago and now Trump has made his position on the issue clear as well.

"It was a contentious issue," Christie said.

"The birther issue is a done issue. I've said it's a done issue for a long time and Donald Trump has said it's a done issue now. And so we need to move on to the issues that are really important to the American people."

Christie said voters aren't going to choose a candidate based on the birtherism issue.

"Let's move on to the real issues."

People on social media pushed back against Christie's claims that the GOP nominee has not kept up the birtherism issue for five years.

On CNN, Christie repeatedly claims—falsely—that Trump wasn't pushing birther conspiracies after 2011. — Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) September 18, 2016

It is 100% true. This is an outlandish statement. https://t.co/UMiUe3SpCJ — Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) September 18, 2016