US President Donald Trump on Thursday praised a US congressman who assaulted a reporter, making light of the attack.
Greg Gianforte was sentenced to six months of deferred jail time, 40 hours of community service, 20 hours of anger management sessions and USD 385 in fines and court fees for the misdemeanor assault that propelled him and his congressional race into the national spotlight last year.
Trump's remarks at a rally in Montana come amid an international outcry over the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist who has been missing since entering Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul on October 2, whom the president has said is likely dead.
At the rally, Trump urged people to vote for Gianforte, describing him as "an incredble Montana leader" and "one of the most respected people in Congress."
"By the way, never wrestle him," Trump said, referring to Gianforte's assault on The Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs. "Any guy that can do a body slam -- he's my kind of, he's my guy."
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