White House Correspondents’ Association condemns ‘violent attack’ on cameraman at Trump rally

The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) condemned the “violent attack” on a BBC cameraman who was shoved at President Trump’s rally in El Paso, Texas, Monday.

“The White House Correspondents’ Association condemns the physical attack on our colleague at the president’s rally in El Paso, Texas,” WHCA President Olivier Knox wrote in a statement Tuesday. “We are relieved that, this time, no one was seriously hurt.”

{mosads}A man wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat was seen shoving and swearing at the cameraman Monday night, which the BBC said occurred after Trump “heavily criticized the media at the rally.”

The WHCA called on the president, who often calls mainstream media outlets “fake news,” to relay to his supporters that violence against journalists is unacceptable. 

“The president of the United States should make absolutely clear to his supporters that violence against reporters is unacceptable,” Knox said.

The White House in a statement released later on Tuesday said the president condemned all acts of violence — including those against the press.

Cameraman Ron Skeans told the BBC he was surprised by the “very hard shove,” and BBC Washington correspondent Gary O’Donoghue called the incident an “incredibly violent attack.”

Skeans was not seriously injured, and Trump appeared to check that he was okay by giving a thumbs up before he continued the speech.

This story was updated at 4:30 p.m.