Longtime Fox News reporter Alicia Acuna and her production team are in Bozeman, Mont. to cover the special election contest to fill Montana’s sole Congressional seat. They were probably expecting to see some passion over the next 48 hours. They probably didn’t expect to see violence. (TVNewser)
Late Wednesday afternoon, Ben Jacobs of The Guardian claimed on Twitter he’d been physically bodyslammed by Republican candidate Greg Gianforte. (Mediaite)
The Guardian posted audio of the incident, in which Jacobs attempts to ask Greg Gianforte about healthcare, but then there is the sound of a scuffle and Gianforte shouting, “Get the hell out of here.” According to accounts of reporters who were there, he was at the headquarters in Bozeman, Mont., for what was billed as a “meet and greet” event. After the incident, Gianforte left. (Variety)
“Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him,” Acuna wrote. “Faith, Keith and I watched in disbelief as Gianforte then began punching the reporter. As Gianforte moved on top of Jacobs, he began yelling something to the effect of, ‘I’m sick and tired of this!'” (Fox News)
Gianforte’s office blamed “liberal journalist” Jacobs for the confrontation. Spokesman Shane Scanlon said in a statement that Jacobs barged into an interview in a private office and “aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg’s face and began asking badgering questions.” (HuffPost)
Gianforte has been charged with misdemeanor assault. Two local newspapers—the Missoulian and the Billings Gazette—rescinded their endorsements of the GOP candidate. (CNN)