Friday, May 26, 2017
Watch Greg Gianforte Apologize for Attacking Reporter (Video)
Newly-elected Montana congressman Greg Gianforte used his victory speech Thursday night to apologize for attacking Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs.
“I should not have treated that reporter that way, and for that, I’m sorry Mr. Ben Jacobs,” Gianforte said, drawing cheers from his supporters.
According to Jacobs, and two other witnesses, he was attacked — “bodyslammed” as Jacobs described it — by Gianforte at the candidate’s campaign headquarters, after asking a question about the Republicans’ healthcare plan. An interview with Fox News was being set up at the time, and Fox News reporter Alicia Acuna later backed up Jacob’s version of events.
Also Read: GOP Candidate Who Attacked Reporter Wins Montana Special Election
“When you make a mistake, you own up to it. That’s the Montana way. Last night I made a mistake. And I took an action that I can’t take back,” Gianforte said about the attack, which took place less than 24 hours before voters went to polls. “I should not have responded in the way that I did, and for that I’m sorry.”
Watch the apology below.
Though Gianforte initially claimed the attack was in self defense, audio from the room in which it took place, alongside accounts by Acuna and BuzzFeed news reporter Alexis Levinson, contradicted that story, and Gianforte was later cited by local law enforcement for misdemeanor assault.
Following the incident, every major newspaper in Montana withdrew their endorsements of Gianforte, and the incident was condemned on the national stage. But the tech executive was already the heavy favorite to win in the Republican stronghold state, and voters ultimately did not shift their support to his opponent, Democrat Rob Quist.
Gianforte was declared winner with 50.7% of the vote to Quist’s 43.4%, according to The New York Times.
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Source: the wrap feed
