Republican congressional candidate,Greg Gianforte for Montana’s congressional seat running for the for Montana’s congressional seat has been charged with a misdemeanour assault, after he body-slammed Ben Jacobs, a Guardian political reporter.
Ben Jacobs was asking the Donald-Trump backed candidate, and also a candidate reported to have investment in some Russia companies that are under sanction by the US government. The reporter had asked Greg about the recent Trumpcare plan that was put forward by the Republicans, but Greg lost his cool, and body slammed the reporter instead.
According to Ben Jacobs while speaking on the attack by the GOP candidate in the back of an ambulance, he said;
He took me to the ground,I think he wailed on me once or twice. He got on me and I think he hit me .This is the strangest thing that has ever happened to me in reporting on politics.
The news was also corroborated by a Fox News reporter Alicia Acuna, field producer Faith Mangan and photographer Keith Railey, who were witnesses at the scene of the attack.
According to Acuna;
After Jacobs asked Gianforte his question,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.
Jacobs then reported the incident to the Gallatin County sheriff’s office, who after completing their investigation charged Gianforte with a misdemeanour assault.
In the audio that was released, Greg Gianforte could be heard yelling; "I’m sick and tired of you guys, The last guy who came here did the same thing. Get the hell out of here. Get the hell out of here. The last guy did the same thing. Are you with the Guardian?" and Jacobs answered Yes, and he went on to body slam him, with Jacob only saying "You just body slammed me and broke my glasses," and Gianforte said "Get the hell out of here"
Greg Gianforte seems upset with the report of the Guardian that exposed his financial ties with Russia companies that were sanctioned by the US. According to the Guardian, he had $250,000 invested in funds with holdings in Gazprom and Rosneft, shares in Russian index funds. Read more here
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