Journalist organizations have sharply criticized US President Donald Trump for praising a congressman for violently assaulting a journalist. That equates to acclaiming a crime by someone who has vowed to respect the law, according to the White House Correspondents Association, an association of journalists in Washington.
Trump had praised the deputy Greg Gianforte the night before in a campaign appearance with the words: "Any guy who can make a Bodyslam is someone I appreciate."
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Gianforte grabbed a journalist from the British "Guardian" in May 2017, knocked him to the ground and hit him. A court sentenced him to community service and a fine. He also paid $ 50,000 to a journalist organization.
The Committee to Protect Journalists also criticized Trump's praise for the MP. At a time when journalists around the world were being killed and imprisoned, that was unbecoming, said committee executive Joel Simon on Twitter.
Trump said Friday in Scottsdale, Arizona, he does not regret his statement. "He's a great guy," the president said about Gianforte. "I stay with you." Trump himself is repeatedly criticized for his verbal attacks on the media. The President has repeatedly referred to media that critically report him as "enemies of the people".
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