President Trump on Friday praised Republican Greg Gianforte’s victory in Montana’s House special election race a day earlier, calling it a “great win.”
Trump arrived in Italy on Friday for a meeting of the Group of Seven nations as part of his first foreign trip as president. According to pool reports, Trump turned to cameras at the event and addressed the Montana election.
“Great win in Montana,” Trump said.
{mosads}Gianforte on Thursday won the House seat vacated by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, one day after being charged with assaulting a reporter who asked him a question about the GOP’s healthcare bill.
Gianforte is scheduled to appear in county court sometime before June 7. The charge carries a maximum fine of $500, a prison term of no more than six months, or both.
Gianforte apologized to the reporter during his victory speech Thursday night.
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“Last night, I made a mistake and I took an action that I cant take back — and I’m not proud of what happened,” he said.
“I should not have responded in the way that I did and for that I’m sorry. I should not have treated that reporter that way and for that I am sorry, Mr. Ben Jacobs.”