The Eternal Understudy

Greg Gianforte, GOP candidate in Montana election, allegedly assaults reporter Ben Jacobs

On Wednesday, Guardian political reporter Ben Jacobs claimed the Republican candidate in the 2017 special elections on Thursday, Greg Gianforte, “body slammed” him — resulting in law enforcement being summoned to the scene.

According to audio of the exchange posted by the Guardian, Jacobs was asking about a recent CBO analysis of the Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act before Gianforte flipped out, slamming him to the ground and breaking Jacobs’ glasses.

“I’m sick and tired of you guys,” Gianforte yelled. “The last guy who came here did the same thing. Get the hell out of here. Get the hell out of here. The last guy did the same thing. Are you with the Guardian?”

“Yes!” Jacobs responded. “You just broke my glasses.”

“The last guy did the same damn thing,” an angry Gianforte shot back.