EXCLUSIVE
Longtime Chris Christie supporter Shaquille O'Neal is refusing to turn his back on the New Jersey Governor in the wake of Bridgegate -- telling TMZ, he still believes in Christie despite everything.
O'Neal -- who shot a campaign commercial for Christie last year -- called in to "TMZ Live" moments ago, explaining he believed Christie when Christie said he had NO involvement in the infamous George Washington Bridge closure that crippled Fort Lee in September.
As far as Shaq's concerned, Christie has lots of employees ... and it's very possible the Bridgegate emails -- which suggest the GWB closure was ordered as political retribution against Fort Lee's mayor -- were sent without Christie's knowledge.
As for Christie's shot at the Presidency, Shaq is urging voters to "get all the facts" before deciding to support another candidate.
