Top-rated SiriusXM podcaster Megyn Kelly revealed after Wednesday’s fourth GOP primary debate she co-moderated that she “prayed” former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie would qualify for it so she could ask him a key question on stage.

The former Fox News star said she had “prayed to God and all of the angels above” for a chance to ask Christie about his stance on permanent medical and surgical interventions for children who are gender confused.

“You do not favor a ban on trans medical treatments for minors, saying it’s a parental rights issue,” Kelly began as she set up her question.

“The surgeries done on minors involve cutting off body parts at a time when these kids cannot even legally smoke a cigarette.  Kids who go from puberty blockers to cross-sex hormones are at a much greater likelihood of winding up sterile,” she continued.

“How is it that you think a parent should be able to OK these surgeries — never mind the sterilization of a child — and aren’t you way too out of step on this issue to be the Republican nominee?” Kelly asked.

“No, I’m not, because Republicans believe in less government, not more, and less involvement with government, not more involvement in people’s lives,” Christie responded.

“And you know what, Megyn? I trust parents,” the former U.S. Attorney for New Jersey continued.

“And we’re out there saying that we should empower parents in education, we should empower parents to make more decisions about where their kids go to school — I agree,” Christie said.

“We should empower parents to be teaching the values that they believe in in their homes without the government telling them what those values should be,” he noted further, adding that his position comes “as a father of four” children.

He went on to concede that “every once in a while, parents are going to make decisions that we disagree with” but then said, “The minute you start to take those rights away from parents, you don’t know that slippery slope, what rights are going to be taken away next.”

Meanwhile, Christie’s position was immediately attacked by fellow GOP contender and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who began emphatically: “As a parent, you do not have the right to abuse your kids!”

The debate, which was moderated by Elizabeth Vargas, Megyn Kelly, and Eliana Johnson and hosted by NewsNation, included DeSantis; Christie; Nikki Haley, the former governor of New Jersey; and Vivek Ramaswamy, a businessman.

After the debate, Christie made a big announcement.

Despite abysmal polling and virtually no chance at winning the GOP nomination, Christie again affirmed that he plans to remain in the Republican primary race until the convention in July.

During an interview on CNN, Christie also lashed out because one of the network’s reporters didn’t credit him for attacking Trump at a debate. After the interview, Christie doubled back to slam Jeff Zeleny for not crediting him for attacking Trump. Co-anchors Phil Mattingly and Poppy Harlow jumped to Zeleny’s defense:

PHIL MATTINGLY: All right. Governor Chris Christie unequivocally attacking the former president when others wouldn’t. Last night. Once again, we appreciate your time, sir. Thank you.

CHRIS CHRISTIE: Yeah. Oh, bae. Phil, by the way, would you remind Jeff Zeleny that I actually was doing that? I listened to Jeff this morning who said no one laid a glove on Donald Trump. I wondered whether Jeff was like watching a basketball game.

POPPY HARLOW: Oh, no. He was watching very closely.

CHRIS CHRISTIE: And then providing that, providing commentary. But if you want to have somebody who’s going to lay a glove on Donald Trump, go to Chrischristie.com and donate. I’m the one who’s going to tell the truth and I’ll even tell it to Jeff Zeleny!