Oregon TV station pulls story about comedian who said he was punched over anti-Trump joke

A television station in Oregon pulled a story about a comedian who says he was punched in the face over the weekend by an audience member after telling a joke mocking President Trump.

Local news outlet KATU 2 decided to remove the story Monday after the comedian in question, Joe Fontenot, had not yet provided surveillance footage of the incident that he says exists. 

{mosads}Additionally, Fontenot did not file a police report or identify the specific venue where the incident occurred, according to the news outlet.

He said the incident occurred during his Saturday night stand-up set that took place in Hood River, a town roughly 60 miles east of Portland.

The news story was published Monday morning and taken down by Monday afternoon. The tweet promoting the story from the news outlet’s account was still posted as of Monday afternoon.

A Portland comedian said he was punched in the face at a show in Hood River after he made a joke about President Trump’s Space Force statement. https://t.co/bAlyX9VSRr pic.twitter.com/tIWVZUsqVW

— KATU News (@KATUNews) July 22, 2019

The story was subsequently picked up by other outlets, including The Hill and the Drudge Report.

The Hill has reached out to Fontenot for comment. 

Fontenot told KATU 2 that he was mocking Trump’s decision to create a Space Force when an audience member stood up and yelled: “Make America great again!”

The man, who was not identified, then walked onstage, according to the report.

“I just said, ‘Someone should build a wall around you,’ and the next thing you know, boom,” Fontenot said. 

The comic of 22 years said he was knocked out by the punch and woke up barely able to open his left eye.

“I don’t understand, like, it’s not even a joke about Trump or anything like that, for people to assault someone else for talking is insane,” Fontenot said.

He said the incident will not stop him from saying similar jokes in the future.

“It’s never going to stop me, absolutely not. I plan on telling the joke again next week,” Fontenot said.

This story was updated at 2:55 p.m. to reflect the news outlet decided to pull the report.