Missoula, Montona: Greg Gianforte, the Republican candidate in Montana's special congressional election, was accused of assaulting a reporter for the Guardian who had been trying to ask him a question. Gianforte, who is seen as the slight favourite in an election that ends 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."
More World News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:15
Trump calls for multiple ejections during ...
Trump calls for multiple ejections during rally
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump calls for the removal of hecklers from his crowd at a rally in Louisville, Kentucky in March 2016.
- Video duration
- 01:38
Corby's Instagram shows media frenzy from ...
Corby's Instagram shows media frenzy from the inside
Schapelle Corby created an Instagram account just before her scheduled deportation from Bali to Australia. Since, she's posted video clips and photos of life on the other side of enormous media packs.
Up Next
Portland Mayor to Muslims: 'Portland stands by you'
- Video duration
- 01:58
- Video duration
- 01:58
Portland Mayor to Muslims: 'Portland ...
Portland Mayor to Muslims: 'Portland stands by you'
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler denounces the fatal stabbings of two men by a suspect accused of going on an anti-Muslim rant, saying the 'current political climate' allows too much room for 'bigotry.'
Up Next
Greyhounds raced in theme park's 'animal olympics'
- Video duration
- 01:26
- Video duration
- 01:26
Greyhounds raced in theme park's 'animal ...
Greyhounds raced in theme park's 'animal olympics'
Unwanted greyhounds are being exported to a Chinese theme park to race against cheetahs.
Up Next
G7 summit braces for clash on trade, climate
- Video duration
- 01:39
- Video duration
- 01:39
G7 summit braces for clash on trade, ...
G7 summit braces for clash on trade, climate
US President Donald Trump's views on climate change are "evolving" following discussions with European leaders who are pushing for him to stay in the Paris climate accord.
Up Next
Melania's fashion wows on first trip
- Video duration
- 02:00
- Video duration
- 02:00
Melania's fashion wows on first trip
Melania's fashion wows on first trip
The fashion world is applauding Melania Trump style on the First Lady's inaugural international trip.
Up Next
Bali prepares for Corby release
- Video duration
- 00:58
- Video duration
- 00:58
Bali prepares for Corby release
Bali prepares for Corby release
Hundreds of police officers have been deployed to shepherd the Australian locally known as the "Ganja queen" through a frenzied media pack on the day of her release.
Up Next
Egypt launches air strikes in Libya after attack on Coptic Christains
- Video duration
- 00:29
- Video duration
- 00:29
Egypt launches air strikes in Libya after ...
Egypt launches air strikes in Libya after attack on Coptic Christains
The Egyptian air force has launched six air strikes on Libyan 'terrorist camps' in response to bus attack in Minya.
Trump calls for multiple ejections during rally
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump calls for the removal of hecklers from his crowd at a rally in Louisville, Kentucky in March 2016.
In an audio recording published by the Guardian, Jacobs can be heard asking Gianforte to respond to the fresh CBO score of the American Health Care Act, a bill he's said he was glad to see the House of Representatives approve. 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, before the event began.
"We'll talk to you about that later," Gianforte says in the audio.
Related Content
"Yeah, but there's not going to be time," says Jacobs. "I'm just curious about it right now."
After Gianforte tells Jacobs to direct the question to his spokesman, Shane Scanlon, there is the sound of an altercation, and Gianforte begins to scream.
"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," says Jacobs.
"The last guy did the same damn thing," says Gianforte.
"You just body-slammed me and broke my glasses," says Jacobs.
Listen to me get body slammed in Montana https://t.co/I8hAUsmuWw
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) May 25, 2017
"Get the hell out of here," says Gianforte.
After that, Jacobs can be heard on the tape promising to contact the police, which he did. After the incident, Scanlon released a campaign statement putting the onus on Jacobs, saying that he "aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg's face and began asking badgering questions," prompting the candidate to act.
"Greg then attempted to grab the phone that was pushed in his face," said Scanlon. "Jacobs grabbed Greg's wrist, and spun away from Greg, pushing them both to the ground. It's unfortunate that this aggressive behaviour from a liberal journalist created this scene."
Gianforte's Democratic opponent Rob Quist heard about the incident while holding one of his final pre-election events at a campaign office in Missoula. After it wrapped, and before the audio was published, he told reporters that he would not comment on what happened.
"That's a matter for law enforcement," he said. "I'm just focused on the issues that are facing the people of Montana."
But the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has invested more than $500,000 in the race, released a statement after the tape's release, calling for Gianforte to quit the race.
"Greg Gianforte must immediately withdraw his candidacy after his alleged violent assault of an innocent journalist," said DCCC spokesman Tyler Law. "Further, Speaker [Paul] Ryan and the National Republican Campaign Committee should not waste another minute before publicly denouncing their candidate and apologising for the millions of dollars they spent on his behalf."
The NRCC, when asked for comment, referred reporters to Gianforte's statement.
The Trump campaign, during the 2016 election, became notorious for its rough treatment of protesters and journalists.
Washington Post
Originally published on The Sydney Morning Herald as Republican candidate Greg Gianforte 'body-slams' Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs.