Still missing

Trump says Saudi journalist likely dead as Turkey searches for remains.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump praised a US congressman who assaulted a reporter, making light of the attack.

Greg Gianforte was sentenced to six months of deferred jail time, 40 hours of community service, 20 hours of anger management sessions and US$385 (RM1,600) in fines and court fees for the misdemeanor assault that propelled him and his congressional race into the national spotlight last year.

Trump’s remarks at a rally in Montana come amid an international outcry over the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist who has been missing since entering Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul on Oct 2, whom the president has said is likely dead.

At the rally, Trump urged people to vote for Gianforte, describing him as “an incredible Montana leader” and “one of the most respected people in Congress”.

“By the way, never wrestle him,” Trump said, referring to Gianforte’s assault on The Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs.

“Any guy that can do a body slam – he’s my kind of, he’s my guy.”

Trump said he originally thought the assault – which took place on the eve of his election – might hurt Gianforte’s chances.

“Then I said,‘Well wait a minute, I know Montana pretty well, I think it might help him.’ And it did,” the president said.

The Guardian US editor John Mulholland took aim at Trump’s remarks.

“To celebrate an attack on a journalist who was simply doing his job is an attack on the First Amendment by someone who has taken an oath to defend it,” he said, referring to the amendment to the US constitu- tion that guarantees freedom of the press.

“In the aftermath of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, it runs the risk of inviting other assaults on journalists both here and across the world where they often face far greater threats,” Mulholland said.

Riyadh is suspected of murdering Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor and US permanent resident whose writings have been critical of powerful Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Trump, who frequently criticises what he terms “fake news media” and repeatedly described news organisations as the “enemy of the people”, has been accused of setting a tone that condones abuses against journalists.

By the way, never wrestle him. Any guy that can do a body slam – he’s my kind of, he’s my guy. Donald Trump