The Republican candidate for Montana’s congressional seat slammed a Guardian reporter to the floor on the eve of the state’s special election, breaking his glasses and shouting, “Get the hell out of here.”
Ben Jacobs, a Guardian political reporter, was asking Greg Gianforte, a tech millionaire running for the seat vacated by Ryan Zinke, about the Republican healthcare plan when the candidate allegedly “body-slammed” the reporter.
“He took me to the ground,” Jacobs said by phone from the back of an ambulance. “This is the strangest thing that has ever happened to me in reporting on politics.”
Jacobs subsequently reported the incident to the police. Gianforte’s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Audio of the abortive interview recorded by Jacobs captures the altercation, and appears to reference previous questioning from another Guardian reporter. “I’m sick and tired of you guys,” Gianforte said. “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?”
“Yes! You just broke my glasses,” Jacobs replied.
“The last guy did the same damn thing,” Gianforte said.
“You just body slammed me and broke my glasses,” Jacob said.
“Get the hell out of here,” Gianforte yelled.
This literally JUST happened so there is no response yet from the candidate's spokesperson, though I cannot even begin to imagine what that might be.Greg Gianforte just body slammed me and broke my glasses— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) May 24, 2017
I will say this though, I think that Mr. Gianforte can kiss his political career goodbye.
I wonder if other Republicans are going to respond to questions about the CBO in such an aggressive manner?
Update: The campaign just released a statement:
You listen to that audio again and tell me if this statement appears to honestly lay the events as they occurred.Gianforte's statement: pic.twitter.com/WVNdA1yZ8w— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) May 25, 2017
What a pussy move!
ReplyDeleteBet worldstar gonna love this lame ass chit!
holy shit!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/kyledcheney/status/867538098359545858
I live in Montana . Giofartes supporters are no different! Let's hope there are more of us tomorrow! Voting for Quist!
ReplyDeleteYES! Hope #GazPromGreg gets the heave ho from MO VOs!
DeleteJohn Dingell!
ReplyDeleteA real man- not like this pussy ass Giancomefuckme a$$hole from Montrana!
https://twitter.com/JohnDingell/status/867536635356991489
Hell, I spent 60 years in Congress without bodyslamming a single reporter. This guy in Montana won't last long if he manages to win.
Fucking brownshirt fascists ..
ReplyDeleteThe popes used to burn the haters so this asshole reporter got off easy!
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with saying one thing in the press release and something else to the popo!
ReplyDeleteSo -- two versions of the incident:
ReplyDelete1. The reporter's.
2. The Republican candidate's.
Who should we believe?
(I'm not believing the Republican candidate.)
Apparently there was a local tv crew in the room as well from a report I have read. So, mat not come down to he said, facist said.
DeleteReally?
DeleteWell, there may not be video but that means there are witnesses. I doubt they took kindly to a fellow journalist being physically assaulted for politely doing his job.
A local Fox News crew in the room?
DeleteLet me know how that turns out...
:-)
Crooks and liars has the statement from the fox crew backing up the reporter from the Guardian. The details they give make it sound even worse. They say the candidate grabbed the reporter by the neck and took him down.
DeleteI read the police are interviewing the four witnesses and they back up Jacob's version of events.
DeleteLocal Fox News team witnessed the assault and then wrote about it, didn't sugar coat it at all.
Deletehttp://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/05/24/greg-gianforte-fox-news-team-witnesses-gop-house-candidate-body-slam-reporter.html
Sticking a mic in your face and asking Qs you don't want to answer is NOT an excuse for assault.
ReplyDeleteThis bunghole MUST be charged.
If he wins he MUST be forced to resign.
https://twitter.com/chgrimaldi/status/867550292237324290
ReplyDeletehttps://t.co/FxKuS7hHTH
Montana's Greg Gianforte, who is running against Rob Quist for the state's only seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, has a history of donations to political candidates with deep ties to white nationalist groups and anti-government extremism.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/05/24/reince-priebus-sweating-secret-comey-memos-white-house-sources-say
ReplyDeleteGet out the lube Rinse!
DeleteDaddy Comey is getting ready to drive you home!
This is the age of the bully. All of these assholes feel empowered because one of them sit at a desk in the oval office. At least for now...
ReplyDeleteViolence like this stems directly from a jerk like Trump. I hope this guy gets the book thrown at him and is sued in civil court also.
DeleteReporter tries to ask the DHHS Secretary a question in West Virginia and gets arrested by State police. Reporter tries to ask an FCC commissioner a question and two security goons pin him against a wall. During the campaign Katy tur from MSNBC had to be escorted to her car by secret service after trump pointed her out to his supporters. And trump making fun of a disabled reporter. Now this in Montana. Raise ur hand if u r surprised.
ReplyDeleteOh good Lord. They moved to super liberal Austin, so good luck with that politics thing there Bristol!
ReplyDeletehttp://crazydaysandnights.net/2017/05/blind-items-revealed-3-793.html
Lmftfy:
DeleteThe family business is GRIFTING, not politics.
So all this means is moar gift boxes and colondouche shakes and baby pics in the Daily Mail and whatnot.
It said "family business", no one in the family works, so other than scamming old people out of their social security checks, what could it be?
DeleteSarah has been OUT of politics longer than she was in.
Well, we all knew the Republicans are nothing but a bunch of fucking liars and hypocrites.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame there is no video.
But I hope the reporter files charges of assault and the hospital has photos of the cuts and bruises.
And yeah, hopefully Gianforte will lose and big time. I understand his Democratic opponent is quite popular, even among the conservatives, and that Gianforte was going to lose anyway. Probably why he was so quick to lose his temper.
I'm sure Trump will find him a position in his administration for displaying such sterling qualities, qualities that Trump appreciates bigly.
I understand there is a position open with the FBI.
Liar, liar...The Fox News reporters present say the reporter was not aggressive in the least!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha
ReplyDeletePosting a Fox News link:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/05/24/greg-gianforte-fox-news-team-witnesses-gop-house-candidate-body-slam-reporter.html
"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 him 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!""
Ooops!
Pretty bad when even Fox News crew confirms you're an out of control thug.
DeleteBut I'll bet Montana votes for him anyway. Because, you know, TRUMP!
Arrest him!
ReplyDeleteshould be
DeleteARREST HIM!!!!!!!!!!
The sheriff for that jurisdiction donated to that candidate. That is why he was able to just drive away.
DeleteI think that Mr. Gianforte can kiss his political career goodbye.
ReplyDelete=================
You are so funny, he is a republican, this isn’t going to end his career. After all he was just “horsing around” which is similar to “joking around” :)
Besides look who they put in the W. H.
Montana isn't 100% Republican. The Auidt campaign started canvassing with the audio last night to get the undecideds and people who were apathetic about voting. Apparently it's been effective.
DeleteIf this ass cant take a mike being stuck in front of his face than who is the pussy?
ReplyDeleteBeing civil is now called being a "pussy". No one with any power at all should be this easy to upset. You should see the rednecks coming out of the woodwork about this, they admire this behavior.
I never knew until Trump was elected just how many insecure rednecks there were in this Country.They live on the edge all the time threatened by gays, Mexicans and anyone who is not white. All liberals men are pansies and all liberal women are ugly dykes in their world. They are proud of Melania Trump because she is "hot" instead of that tranny Moochelle Oblama.
This is who elected Trump. A bunch of insecure bully's. Most of them have never served but want a war just to prove we are not wimps. They underestimate the ones with manners. Not only can the so called Dimocrats kick you physically but mentally as well. They are so dumb they give us the ammo and bitch about it.
Some of the same little pricks used to beat on the smaller kids and what we called special ed students back when went to school.
DeleteMotive:TIES TO RUSSIA!!!!!!! His next stop will be a W. H. position
ReplyDelete=====================================
UPDATE: Apparently, there is a motive.
@Broadsword_Six (Reporter) Jacobs broke the story that Gianforte (GOP candidate) holds $250,000 in Russian stocks. https://t.co/gW4D24lD9R
— Kentucky Woman (@KYWildWoman) May 25, 2017
—
Here are more details on that.
According to a financial disclosure filed with the clerk of the House of Representatives, the Montana tech mogul owns almost $150,000 worth of shares in VanEck Vectors Russia ETF and $92,400 in the IShares MSCF Russia ETF fund. Both are indexed to the Russian equities market and have significant holdings in companies such as Gazprom and Rosneft that came under US sanctions in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of the Crimea.
The holdings, while substantial, make up only a small portion of Gianforte’s wealth. The congressional candidate, who made a fortune starting a software company which was later sold to Oracle, has assets estimated to be worth between $65m and $315m, according to his financial disclosure.
http://crooksandliars.com/2017/05/report-montana-gop-congressional-candidate
So, he'll be able to cover the fine and the court costs easily when he goes before the judge.
DeleteMy need twitter HT for this corrupt thug:
Delete#GazPromGreg
Typical extreme RW Trump voting goon. He needs jail time.
ReplyDeleteLike we didn't know Sessions is a LIAR
ReplyDelete=============================
Foreign meetings omitted from Sessions' security clearance
By DEB RIECHMANN and CHAD DAY - The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) Attorney General Jeff Sessions did not disclose contacts with foreign dignitaries, including the Russian ambassador, on a security clearance form he submitted as a United States senator last year, the Justice Department acknowledged Wednesday...
..... Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that U.S. intelligence services obtained information during the 2016 presidential election that showed senior Russian officials discussing how to influence Trump through his campaign advisers.
Citing three current and former American officials, the Times said U.S. intelligence officials collected information last summer showing Russians zeroed in on Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn, a former head of U.S. military intelligence who was a key Trump campaign adviser. The Russian officials thought Manafort and Flynn could be used to influence Trump's views on Russia.
The Times said some of the officials bragged about ties to Flynn. Others thought they could use Manafort's association with former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who led a pro-Russian political party, to their advantage, the Times reported........
https://twitter.com/RoguePOTUSStaff/status/867549298392801280
ReplyDeleteThe comments
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhoH4v8xYlU
...Gianforte is a tech mogul who mounted an unsuccessful campaign for governor in 2016.
ReplyDeleteOn 28 April, Jacobs reported on Gianforte’s financial ties to Russian companies that have been sanctioned by the US. Gianforte’s wealth is estimated at between $65m and $315m.
Last month, the Missoulian newspaper took Gianforte to task for his attitude toward the press. At an event hosted by the Advancing Conservatism Society, an audience member reportedly said: “Our biggest enemy is the news media. How can we rein in the news media?”
Gianforte responded by pointing at a reporter and saying, “We have someone right here. It seems like there is more of us than there is of him.” The Republican later told the Billings Gazette that his comments were a joke.
The Missoulian editorial board interpreted Gianforte’s statement as “demonstrat[ing] Gianforte’s agreement that news media are ‘the enemy’”. “While his apology is appreciated,” they wrote, “Gianforte needs to take pains to set a better example of civility from now on.”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/24/greg-gianforte-bodyslams-reporter-ben-jacobs-montana
The police are interviewing four witnesses who corroborate Ben Jacob's report of events.
ReplyDeleteMost of the mail-in ballots are already in so not sure this is going to change much. It's a Republican district and they love them some Trump. They'd probably consider this just a show of strength if it weren't for the hatred of rich boy Gianforte.
I just hope they love them some Quist more. He is quite popular.
Hopefully the people who were considering just staying home will make a point of going to the polls voting for Quist. Remember this guy ran for Governor before and didn't win.
DeleteAmazing even Fox News is backing the reporters story!This tells you something, even they know Trump is going down and they need to save their asses. They don't want to be seen as the network who totally was behind an idiot and a potential traitor even though for months they were. Bottom line is dollars and they see which way the wind is blowing.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mediaite.com/online/we-watched-in-disbelief-fox-news-journalists-corroborate-guardian-reporters-body-slam-account/
This isn't the first time Gianforte has threatened reporters. He made motions of neck wringing at reporters a while back.
DeleteThey probably all hate him and are happy to testify to exactly what they saw. Probably a "there but for the grace of god" moment.
One wonders how they will be treated by the local Faux affiliate. Hopefully no repercussions.
DeleteMontana might be red, and traditionally very conservative, but it is a relatively well-educated shade of red: 1st in high school graduation rate, 20th in percent attaining Bachelor's degree. As Hillary Clinton put it, the sh*t that Trump peddles is not Republican, or conservative, or American. It ain't Christian neither. (Paraphrasing here a bit.)
https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=brian+gootkin
ReplyDeleteIf you do not demand civility from your government officials than those same officials should not demand civility from its citizens.This is not the norm.This is how a civilized society erodes. If we accept this behavoir by those who represent us we are accepting a new norm of brawn over brains.
ReplyDeleteAmerica has always used it's intellect first even in times of war we won not by mere strength but by intellect. Real leaders do not act on emotions alone and this is what we are seeing right now, here, in real time. Stupid afraid people who never fought trying to be tough.
That guy would piss his pants in a real war and so would Trump.To me they lack faith and they shout it everyday by acting like assholes.
This really needs no explanation:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2017/05/chart-day-heres-how-many-people-become-uninsured-under-ahca
Gazette opinion: We're pulling our endorsement of Greg Gianforte
ReplyDelete...If what was heard on tape and described by eye-witnesses is accurate, the incident in Bozeman is nothing short of assault. We wouldn't condone it if it happened on the street. We wouldn't condone it if it happened in a home or even a late-night bar fight. And we couldn't accept it from a man who is running to become Montana's lone Congressional representative.
http://billingsgazette.com/opinion/editorial/gazette-opinion-we-re-pulling-our-endorsement-of-gianforte/article_34d90b42-545b-5e10-9355-605b7c5cb11f.html
And Gianforte has been charged with misdemeanor assault. $500 fine and up to six months in jail.
DeleteThe sheriff said it didn't meet the criteria for felony assault. And that his $250 contribution to Gianforte's campaign had nothing to do with it.
For us oldies, i leave you with this.
ReplyDeletehttps://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-mozilla-003&hsimp=yhs-003&hspart=mozilla&p=youtube+todd+rundgren+when+will+you+ever+learn#id=6&vid=03ac1095d14601fbec2835aa296114e2&action=view
Hey we have witnessed the bullies. Trump campaign staffers, his followers, his handlers, foreign security beating the shit out of peaceful americans on usa soil. Politicians behaving like thugs. Yep this must end now. A code of decency and manners mandatory. We cannot allow this outrageous bunch of heathens to harm reports, protestors, the outspoken or anyone else. This will stop as soon as we rid this country of toxic trump and lousy actors.
ReplyDeleteA sure sign of guilt is anger.
ReplyDeleteOH MY!
ReplyDeleteTrump lawyer in Russia probes has Russian ties of his own
(CNN) The prominent New York lawyer expected to represent President Donald Trump in the widening Russia probes has professional connections of his own to Moscow, which could create yet another public-relations problem for the White House.
Marc Kasowitz, who has been Trump's go-to lawyer for years on both personal and business matters, is defending a Russian bank, OJSC Sberbank, in an ongoing lawsuit in US court. He also represents a company controlled by a Russian billionaire, Oleg Deripaska, who has close ties to the Kremlin.
Kasowitz' clients with Russian ties may not pose any legal conflicts of interests as he prepares to help Trump navigate an investigation that the president calls "a witch hunt." But the optics of the situation -- a lawyer with Russian-linked clients representing a president, whose campaign is being investigated for alleged collusion with Russia -- could make a messy situation for Trump even messier
Read more at
http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/24/politics/trump-attorney-kasowitz/
Not Welcome Here': Thousands March Against Trump in Belgium
ReplyDelete.... Thousands of protesters took to the streets Wednesday to protest U.S. President Donald Trump's arrival in the city he previously likened to a "hellhole."
.... According to capital police, 9,000 people attended the rally.....
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/25/not-welcome-here-thousands-march-against-trump-in-belgium.html
Too dumb to apologize; too dumb, and volatile, to hold office. Suspect he's done this before. He seemed well practiced. His wife wear dark glasses and scarves around her throat much?
ReplyDelete