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According to a new tweet from Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs, Montana GOP special election candidate Greg Gianforte assaulted him on Wednesday, breaking his glasses and leaving him in need of medical attention.

The incident reportedly took place at the Republican’s final campaign event at his headquarters, where Gianforte planned to thank volunteers.

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CharminTide said:

Gotta watch out for those aggressive liberal journalists.

Doubling down on that interpretation seems unwise given the existence of this audio recording, the fact that other reporters in attendance are supporting Jacobs' account, and presence of a local TV crew that watched the whole exchange. But we'll see what happens.

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crimsonaudio said:

Not to nitpick, but didn't he technically batter the reporter? I'm likely wrong here, but I was told years ago that assault meant threatening and battery meant physically touching.

Not much else to add, just hoping someone can clarify for me.

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CharminTide said:

Gotta watch out for those aggressive liberal journalists.

Doubling down on that interpretation seems unwise given the existence of this audio recording, the fact that other reporters in attendance are supporting Jacobs' account, and presence of a local TV crew that watched the whole exchange. But we'll see what happens.

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Fox News reporter Alicia Alcuna, field producer Faith Mangan and photographer Keith Railey witnessed the incident, according to an account published by foxnews.com. After Jacobs asked Gianforte his question, Alcuna wrote, “Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him.

“Faith, Keith and I watched in disbelief as Gianforte then began punching the man, as he moved on top the reporter and began yelling something to the effect of ‘I’m sick and tired of this!’ ... To be clear, at no point did any of us who witnessed this assault see Jacobs show any form of physical aggression toward Gianforte, who left the area after giving statements to local sheriff’s deputies.”

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The race to fill Montana's sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives took a violent turn Wednesday, and a crew from the Fox News Channel, including myself, witnessed it firsthand.

As part of our preparation for a story about Thursday's special election to air on "Special Report with Bret Baier," we arranged interviews with the top two candidates, Republican Greg Gianforte and Democrat Rob Quist. On Wednesday, I joined field producer Faith Mangan and photographer Keith Railey in Bozeman for our scheduled interview with Gianforte, which was to take place at the Gianforte for Congress Bozeman Headquarters.

Faith, Keith and I arrived early to set up for the interview in a room adjacent to another room where a volunteer BBQ was to take place. As the time for the interview neared, Gianforte came into the room. We exchanged pleasantries and made small talk about restaurants and Bozeman.

During that conversation, another man — who we now know is Ben Jacobs of The Guardian — walked into the room with a voice recorder, put it up to Gianforte's face and began asking if he had a response to the newly released Congressional Budget Office report on the American Health Care Act. Gianforte told him he would get to him later. Jacobs persisted with his question. Gianforte told him to talk to his press guy, Shane Scanlon.

At that point, Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him. 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!"

Jacobs scrambled to his knees and said something about his glasses being broken. He asked Faith, Keith and myself for our names. In shock, we did not answer. Jacobs then said he wanted the police called and went to leave. Gianforte looked at the three of us and repeatedly apologized. At that point, I told him and Scanlon, who was now present, that we needed a moment. The men then left.

To be clear, at no point did any of us who witnessed this assault see Jacobs show any form of physical aggression toward Gianforte, who left the area after giving statements to local sheriff's deputies.

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rgw said:

He's a real salt of the earth tough guy! He hates the liberal media!

He'll probably win in a landslide...Montana seems like the optimal red state: nobody is there.

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crimsonaudio said:

Not to nitpick, but didn't he technically batter the reporter? I'm likely wrong here, but I was told years ago that assault meant threatening and battery meant physically touching.

Not much else to add, just hoping someone can clarify for me.

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bama_wayne1 said:

From the news story I heard on the radio the reporter grabbed the candidate's wrist, so to that point perhaps the journalist is guilty of battery and the candidate is guilty of self defense. I think the courts will have to sort that out. I will cede that I listen to a conservative radio station that is biased just like most of the rest of media is in there own way.

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92tide said:

that is definitely the spin the candidate is putting on the story, blame the reporter (see the campaign's statement a few pages back). the other reports seem to imply otherwise.

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