“Greg Gianforte. He is a fighter and a winner," President Donald Trump said. | Matthew Brown/AP Photo Trump on congressman who assaulted reporter: ‘He is a fighter’

President Donald Trump on Thursday appeared to make light of a Montana politician’s assault on a reporter.

During a rally in Billings, Montana, Trump praised Greg Gianforte, a current House Republican lawmaker who, as a congressional candidate, assaulted a reporter from The Guardian last year during an interview on the campaign trail.


“I’ll tell you what: This man has fought — in more ways than one — for your state. He has fought for your state,” the president said. “Greg Gianforte. He is a fighter and a winner.”

Gianforte, who nonetheless won his congressional bid, subsequently pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault.

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The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump has repeatedly criticized journalists, both during his campaign for president and throughout his time in office, calling the media “fake news” and the “enemy of the people.” The president took jabs at the press throughout his rally, prompting his supporters to jeer at reporters who were there to cover the event.

