Montana Congress candidate accused of assaulting reporter

By Cameron Rasmusson
Reader Staff

Montana GOP House candidate Greg Gianforte is taking heat for allegedly assaulting a reporter the night before the state’s special election.

The Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs claimed Wednesday night that Gianforte body-slammed him and broke his glasses after Jacobs asked for a comment on the American Health Care Act’s CBO score. Jacobs later posted audio supporting his version of the story.

Fox News reporters who witnessed the incident said Gianforte grabbed Jacobs’ neck with both hands, slammed him into the ground and began punching him.

The Gianforte campaign placed blame on Jacobs, claiming he was a “liberal journalist” who was badgering the candidate.

Montanans go to the polls today in a special election many see as a bellwether for Congressional election outcomes in 2018.