Greg Gianforte, the millionaire Republican running for Montana’s lone congressional seat, went viral for all the wrong reasons on Wednesday, the day before polls opened in his state.
He was charged with misdemeanor assault after allegedly attacking a reporter for the Guardian, who said the candidate body-slammed him.
Gianforte, who is running against folk musician Rob Quist, saw his name trend on Twitter with many sharing anger and disbelief, not to mention jokes, memes and just plain trolling.
Here’s a sampling:
"hi, i am rob quist and i don't assault reporters for asking a question about a healthcare bill that will affect millions of people" pic.twitter.com/KHAlL1xLP2
— jordan 🌹 (@JordanUhl) May 25, 2017
@JohnEkdahl I just hope he didn't injure his hands when that crazed journalist thrust his neck into them.
— Jason Hart (@jasonahart) May 25, 2017
"I bought the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense" pic.twitter.com/DCrVZGXclp
— scott linnen (@ScottLinnen) May 25, 2017
Imagine always being one Guardian reporter question about a CBO score away from violent assault. Bruce Banner had to live like this.
— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) May 25, 2017
Cue to intro music! . #mtpol #wrestler #stonecold pic.twitter.com/fOJQQAtIsT
— Sir Hammerwinkle (@SirHammerwinkle) May 24, 2017
If this whole Congress thing doesn't work out for Gianforte, I'm sure United is hiring.
— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) May 25, 2017
Looks like Trump found his next press secretary.https://t.co/UzKnyuOJb6
— Dave Pell (@davepell) May 25, 2017
I have to admit that choke-body slamming a reporter the night before an election seems like a questionable campaign strategy. @RobertGehrke?
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) May 25, 2017
The bad news is, Gianforte may actually win tomorrow, the good news is, we put together a 'Congressional Protection Gear' package for sale. pic.twitter.com/3QBItq3qW8
— The Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) May 25, 2017
All of these things having been said, that body slam is the only substantive GOP response to questions about the CBO score I've seen today.
— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) May 25, 2017
Gianforte "The Animal" Steele #MontanaPoliticsRepublicanStyle #BodySlam #WelcometoTrumpsWWEAmerica pic.twitter.com/y27QM6Y3s7
— Secular Humanist (@Reilly4Sanity) May 25, 2017
CBO score + bodyslam = ?
— Jim Antle (@jimantle) May 24, 2017
@Bencjacobs To be fair, Greg Gianforte's resting face is, "I'm going to fucking bodyslam you." pic.twitter.com/1MwBFmSbfG
— Andy Juett (@andyjuett) May 24, 2017
We need a ban on all GOP congressional candidates until we can figure out what the hell is going on.
— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) May 25, 2017
Body slam guy believes that dinosaurs were heterosexually married in Noah's ark pic.twitter.com/tqHu6UfoVt
— Molly Crabapple (@mollycrabapple) May 25, 2017
@mike_pence @realDonaldTrump Is Gianforte running for the @HouseGOP or auditioning for the @WWE!?! #bodyslam #gianforte #OneHellOfASummer
— W.J. Venerable, III (@RealWJV3) May 24, 2017
@Bencjacobs If you’re running for public office and don’t like “recorders shoved in your face,” you’re gonna have a bad time. pic.twitter.com/S0Oh828f4q
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) May 25, 2017
‘It is unfortunate that a liberal reporter forced me to bodyslam him’ - Gianforte with the ’she was asking for it’ defense, basically. https://t.co/0bHJutAKpc
— Jason Karsh (@jkarsh) May 25, 2017
Re-enactment of the #Gianforte incident: pic.twitter.com/dG9BLJx8EI
— Dan Tastic 🥓 (@explicitweetz) May 25, 2017
📈 Lookups for 'body slam' are up 136,900%;GOP candidate in Montana special election accused of attacking a reporter. https://t.co/xyUtFQzaEY
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) May 25, 2017
The new motto for the New Russia Party (@GOP) by Greg Gianforte.#NewRussiaParty #ArrestGianforte pic.twitter.com/Wa0P82t0PF
— Reopen Alcatraz (@DC78intheShade) May 25, 2017
America went from "it's ok to punch a Nazi" to "it's ok to bodyslam a journalist" in four months. https://t.co/AN4CZLxPDP
— jon gabriel (@exjon) May 24, 2017
@blakersdozen @chrislhayes His Wikipedia right now #bodyslam #greggianforte pic.twitter.com/Io0idCo1tW
— Daniel van Harmelen (@DanielvHarmelen) May 25, 2017
You sent solid Gianforte event names:
— Jon Lovett (@jonlovett) May 25, 2017
3. Jam and Slam
2. Schmooze and Bruise
1. Chatter and Batter
(but seriously that guy shd be in jail)
At the City News Bureau of Chicago our editors used to bodyslam us every morning just to keep us in shape. pic.twitter.com/obkWtpvMp2
— Roger Simon (@politicoroger) May 25, 2017
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