Reporter Body Slammed by Montana Congressman Gets New Glasses

Guardian journalist plans to donate broken spectacles to museum

Ben Jacobs, reporter allegedly attacked by Greg Gianforte
ABC

For all who were concerned about Ben Jacobs, the reporter who was body slammed by Republican congressional candidate Greg Gianforte, he and his eyes are alright. The Guardian reporter is sporting a fresh pair of glasses, and has agreed to donate the pair broken in the incident to the Newseum in Washington, D.C., the newspaper reports.

Gianforte has been charged with misdemeanor assault, but went on to win Montana’s special election on Thursday.

The altercation between Gianforte and reporter Ben Jacobs occurred last Wednesday afternoon, less than 24 hours before polls opened, at Gianforte’s campaign headquarters in Bozeman, Montana.

According to Jacobs, he was attacked — “body slammed” as he described it — by Gianforte after asking a question about the Republicans’ healthcare plan, while a TV interview with a Fox affiliate was being set up. Jacobs was later taken to an ambulance, where he took a photo of his glasses, which he said were broken during the fight.

The candidate apologized to Jacobs in his victory speech. “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.

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