MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” co-host Joe Scarborough thinks President Trump’s constant attacks on the media resulted in GOP candidate Greg Gianforte attacking a reporter on Wednesday night.

“Isn’t that incredible. A guy assaults a reporter, which I guess shouldn’t be too surprising in an age of Trump where he calls the press ‘enemy of the people,'” Scarborough said. “These reckless words have consequences.”

Co-host Willie Geist said the candidate has a history of Trump-like rhetoric about the press.

Also Read: Media World Reacts to GOP Candidate Attacking Reporter: 'Greg Gianforte Belongs in Jail'

Gianforte was cited for misdemeanor assault on Wednesday night after he was accused of “body-slamming” The Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs. The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release regarding the incident that occurred earlier in the evening at a Gianforte campaign volunteer barbecue in Bozeman, Montana.

“Following multiple interviews and an investigation by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office it was determined there was probable cause to issue a citation to Greg Gianforte for misdemeanor assault,” the statement said.

“The nature of the injuries did not meet the statutory elements of felony assault. Greg Gianforte received a citation on Wednesday night and is scheduled to appear in Gallatin County Justice Court between now and June 7, 2017.”

Also Read: Reporter Accuses Montana GOP Candidate of Body Slamming Him and Breaking His Glasses

Jacobs said he was attacked — “bodyslammed” — by Gianforte as a TV interview was being set up. Jacobs was later taken to an ambulance, where he took a photo of his glasses, which he claims were broken during the fight. Audio of the incident and witness accounts supported Jacobs’ version of events, which the campaign disputed.

The sheriff’s office said that if convicted, aspiring lawmaker Gianforte could be “fined not to exceed $500 or be imprisoned in the county jail for any term not to exceed 6 months, or both,” if convicted.

Also Read: 'Morning Joe' Calls Trump a 'Jackass,' Compares Him to 'Dumb and Dumber' Character (Video)

The campaign confirmed that a physical confrontation had taken place, but not as Jacobs detailed it. In a statement released to media, the campaign said that the incident was the result of aggressive and violent behavior by Jacobs, leaving Gianforte no choice but to defend himself physically.

However, the media world and Jacobs’ fellow reporters did not accept the explanation, and many called for Gianforte to be arrested.

Fox News reporter Alicia Acuna, who was in the room to conduct the TV interview with Gianforte for “Special Report With Bret Baier,” said in her account of the incident that “at no point did any of us who witnessed this assault see Jacobs show any form of physical aggression toward Gianforte.”

New York Daily News justice writer Shaun King tweeted that Gianforte “should be arrested tonight. Period. He assaulted a reporter. This must never be acceptable.”

Check out the video above.

16 MSNBC Shows That Have Gained Since Trump, Ranked (Photos)

Since taking office on Jan. 20, President Trump has boosted ratings for all the major cable news channels. But none more than MSNBC, which grew a whopping 55 percent in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. In fact, the network has the 16 cable news shows that have shown the most growth.

TheWrap wondered on March 15 if Rachel Maddow would turn away viewers after the <a href="https://www.thewrap.com/rachel-maddow-played-us/">mixed reaction to her record-setting episode</a> that revealed Trump's 2005 tax return. Three weeks later, it's safe to say that didn't happen. Using the week of Trump's inauguration as a base and comparing it to the three weeks since Maddow's reveal, here are MSNBC"s big winners, ranked:
16. “For the Record with Greta”

Greta Van Susteren ditched Fox News for MSNBC and her new show has grown 23 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration, while CNN has remained stagnant over the same time period.
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15. “MSNBC Live with Katy Tur”

The midday newscast that airs from 2-3 p.m. ET has grown 28 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration, while rival networks have lost viewers over the same timelot.
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14. “MSNBC Live with Stephanie Ruhle”

Ruhle’s daily newscast airs directly after “Morning Joe” at 9 am E.T. and has gained 30 percent of total viewers compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.
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13. “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams”

Williams’ nightly program has grown 30 percent since the week of Trump’s inauguration while CNN’s 11 p.m. ET program has gained 10 percent over the same period.

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12. “All In with Chris Hayes”

Rachel Maddow’s lead-in has delivered, growing 32 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration, while setting the table for one of television’s hottest programs. Hayes has the only cable news program among the big three networks to see an increase over the timeslot.

TheWrap
11. “MSNBC Live with Craig Melvin”

Melvin’s daily newscast that airs from 1-2 p.m. ET has increased 33 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration, with Sean Spicer’s White House press briefings being a hot topic this time of day.
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10. “Hardball with Chris Matthews”

“Hardball” paves the way for MSNBC’s red-hot primetime lineup and has seen an increase of 33 percent himself while rivals have lost viewers over the same span.
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9. “MSNBC Live with Kate Snow”

Snow’s version of “MSNBC Live” airs from 3-4 p.m. ET and has increased viewership 34 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration, while both CNN and Fox News have dropped.
NBC
8. “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell”

O’Donnell has one of the best timeslot in cable news… directly after Maddow. His audience has grown 35 percent since the week of her record-setting Trump reveal episode compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.
O’Donnell
7. “Morning Joe”

Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist’s “Morning Joe” trends on social media essentially every morning, as it appears to be the go-to morning program for political Twitter. “Morning Joe” has picked up a 35 percent bump in viewers compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.
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6. “MTP Daily”

Chuck Todd’s daily version of NBC News’ “Meet the Press” airs at 5 p.m. ET and has grown 37 percent among total viewers over the past three weeks compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.
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5. “Andrea Mitchell Reports”

Mitchell’s daily program airs at noon ET and has grown 38 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.
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4. “MSNBC Live with Hallie Jackson”

Jackson’s version of “MSNBC Live” airs at 10 a.m. ET and has grown 39 percent in total viewers compared to the week Trump was sworn in, while rival CNN has grown 16 percent over the same time period.

TheWrap
3. “MSNBC Live with Steve Kornacki”

Kornacki’s daily newscast has seen a 42 percent increase among total viewers compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration.

NBC
2. “MSNBC Live” at 11 a.m. ET

Many version of “MSNBC Live” have a permanent host for a specific hour of the day, but the 11 a.m. edition features a rotating group of the network’s talent and has seen a whopping 43 percent increase among total viewers since the week of Trump’s inauguration.
NBC
1. “The Rachel Maddow Show”

Was there really any question which show would occupy the top spot? Maddow’s viewership has increased 44 percent compared to the week of Trump’s inauguration. Maddow was already on fire when she revealed Trump’s 2005 tax return and viewers have continued to flock to her program on a nightly basis ever since.
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MSNBC has shown significant growth since Inauguration Day, particularly after Rachel Maddow revealed Trump’s 2005 tax return

Since taking office on Jan. 20, President Trump has boosted ratings for all the major cable news channels. But none more than MSNBC, which grew a whopping 55 percent in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. In fact, the network has the 16 cable news shows that have shown the most growth.

TheWrap wondered on March 15 if Rachel Maddow would turn away viewers after the <a href="https://www.thewrap.com/rachel-maddow-played-us/">mixed reaction to her record-setting episode</a> that revealed Trump's 2005 tax return. Three weeks later, it's safe to say that didn't happen. Using the week of Trump's inauguration as a base and comparing it to the three weeks since Maddow's reveal, here are MSNBC"s big winners, ranked:

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