Trump Praises Congressman Who Attacked Reporter As A ‘Fighter’

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 6: Rep. Greg Gianforte (R-MT) speaks during the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Capitol Hill, December 6, 2017 in Washington, DC. The tree is a 79-foot-tall Engelmann Spruce... WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 6: Rep. Greg Gianforte (R-MT) speaks during the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Capitol Hill, December 6, 2017 in Washington, DC. The tree is a 79-foot-tall Engelmann Spruce tree that was grown in Montana.(Drew Angerer/Getty Images) MORE LESS

At a Montana rally Thursday night, President Donald Trump praised Rep. Greg Gianforte (R-MT), who pleaded guilty to assaulting a reporter on the campaign trail, calling him a “fighter” in “more ways than one.”

“I’ll tell you what: This man has fought — in more ways than one — for your state. He has fought for your state. Greg Gianforte. He is a fighter and a winner,” Trump said of the congressman who won his House seat despite the attack on Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs.

Gianforte first denied attacking the reporter before later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault.

Watch Trump’s comments here.