US President Donald Trump has commended a Republican Congressman for assaulting a journalist last year, referring to him as “my guy”.
At a rally in Missoula on Thursday night, Trump praised Montana congressman Greg Gianforte.
Gianforte assaulted a reporter for British daily The Guardian, Ben Jacobs, back in 2017 during his elections campaign.
“He’s a great guy,” Trump said referring to Gianforte, adding, “any guy who can do a body slam … he’s my guy.”
Gianforte, who pleaded guilty to “body slamming” Jacobs, received a 180-day deferred sentence, 40 hours of community service, 20 hours of anger management and a $300 fine along with a $85 court fee.
Trump said back then he had feared the assault could have damaged Gianforte’s chances of winning the special congressional election; however, Trump told the crowd at the rally, “I said wait a minute, I know Montana pretty well, I think it might help him – and it did”. Gianforte won the…