New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy faced significant backlash while attending a friend’s wedding overseas as a powerful nor’easter approached his home state. Critics were quick to voice their concerns as his office remained silent on whether he would cut his trip short.
On Saturday, the state of emergency declaration was made by Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, who was stepping in as acting governor during Murphy’s absence with his wife, Tammy.
Spokesman Tyler Jones informed The Post that the couple was attending a wedding in Europe and would not return until Tuesday.
Jones did not disclose the specific location of the Murphys’ trip nor the identity of the couple getting married. The term-limited Democrat is known to possess a villa in Italy, which he frequently visits with his family.
Murphy’s office did not respond to requests for comments on Monday.
No prior public announcement was made regarding Murphy’s overseas plans, though his office did circulate his public schedule to numerous reporters before his departure.
On Monday, Murphy took to X to mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which has emerged as an alternative to Columbus Day, sparking a wave of online criticism regarding his travel habits.
“Today, let us also honor New Jersey’s Indigenous communities — from the Ramapough-Munsee Lenape Nation in Ramapo to the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation in Bridgeton. #IndigenousPeoplesDay,” Murphy tweeted.
In response, one commenter remarked, “You’ve been MIA for days and then decide to show up and post this s—t? It’s Columbus Day.”
Another user echoed, “Are you honoring them while in NJ? You seem to disappear a lot,” while yet another quipped, “Columbus Day! And are you doing this tweet from Europe?”
This latest trip isn’t the first time Murphy’s travel has drawn criticism.
In September 2023, Way was sworn in as lieutenant governor following the death of her predecessor, Sheila Oliver, who had been acting governor while Murphy was abroad on another vacation.
In December 2021, Murphy faced backlash for traveling to Costa Rica during a significant COVID-19 surge in New Jersey when cases were reaching record highs.
The Murphys have frequented Costa Rica since their initial visit in 2019, returning in subsequent years—2021, 2022, and 2023.
