Republican candidate in Montana accused of assaulting reporter
MISSOULA, Mont. — Greg Gianforte, the Republican candidate in Montana’s special congressional election, was accused Wednesday night of assaulting a reporter for the Guardian newspaper who had been trying to ask him a question.
Gianforte, who is seen as the slight favorite in the election on Thursday, left what was supposed to be a final campaign rally, at his Bozeman headquarters, without giving a speech.
The Gallatin County sheriff’s office said Wednesday evening that it was “currently investigating allegations of an assault involving Greg Gianforte.”
Gianforte’s campaign said the reporter, Ben Jacobs, entered a private office without permission and “aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg’s face.” Campaign spokesman Shane Scanlon said Gianforte tried to grab Jacobs’ phone, then Jacobs grabbed the candidate’s wrist and they both fell.
However, Fox New reported that one of its crew saw Gianforte grab Jacobs’ neck with both hands and throw him to the ground. Gianforte then punched Jacobs, Fox reported.
In an audio recording released by the Guardian, Jacobs can be heard asking Gianforte to respond to the fresh Congressional Budget Office score of the American Health Care Act, a measure Gianforte backed.
According to Alexis Levinson, a reporter for BuzzFeed, Jacobs had followed the candidate into a room where a camera was set up for an interview.
After Gianforte tells Jacobs to direct the question to his spokesman, there is the sound of an altercation, and Gianforte begins to yell.
“I’m sick and tired of you guys!” Gianforte says. “The last guy that came in 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?”
“Yes, and you just broke my glasses,” Jacobs says.
“The last guy did the same damn thing,” Gianforte says.
“You just body-slammed me and broke my glasses,” Jacobs says.
“Get the hell out of here,” Gianforte says.
After that, Jacobs can be heard on the tape promising to contact the police.