Police filed misdemeanor assault charges against the Republican candidate for Montana's congressional seat over the unprovoked body-slam attack on a Guardian newspaper reporter.  Unfortunately for the candidate, the reporter was recording audio at the time.

Greg Gianforte is a tech millionaire who made a fortune with customer relations software.  He ran for Montana state governor last year and lost, and is running for the empty seat in a special election to take place on Thursday.  This time around, the extreme right-winger - who doesn't believe workers have a right to retire, opposes reproductive rights and marriage equality, and actually thinks dinosaurs roamed the earth 4,300 years ago - tried to avoid questions about one of the touchiest subjects facing congressional Republicans, the threatened repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or, Obamacare.  The R's have been getting torn to pieces at town meetings in the home districts by people who don't want to lose their healthcare coverage.

Guardian political reporter Ben Jacobs was in Gianforte's election headquarters in Bozeman, Montana and wanted to ask the candidate about a non-partisan congressional report saying that 23 million Americans will lose their coverage under the Republican plan to repeal and replace Obamacare.  Jacobs entered a room where a local TV crew was set up for an interview and proceeded to record audio as he posed his question.

Gianforte demurred for a couple of seconds, and suddenly burst forth in a violent temper tantrum, body-slamming Mr. Jacobs and leaping on him to land a few punches.  "He took me to the ground," Jacobs said by phone from the back of an ambulance.  "I think he wailed on me once or twice.  He got on me and I think he hit me.  This is the strangest thing that has ever happened to me in reporting on politics."

Later, Gianforte's campaign issued one of the lamest statements ever, claiming Jacobs for the altercation, saying that he "entered the office without permission, aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg's face, and began asking badgering questions".  The statement played for the Fox news crowd: "It's unfortunate that this aggressive behavior from a liberal journalist created this scene at our campaign volunteer BBQ."

But Fox News reporter Alicia Acuna, field producer Faith Mangan, and photographer Keith Railey witnessed the incident - and they contradicted the Gianforte campaign's wishful thinking.

"Faith, Keith and I watched in disbelief as Gianforte then began punching the man, as he moved on top the reporter and began yelling something to the effect of 'I'm sick and tired of this!'" said Ms. Acuna.  "To be clear, at no point did any of us who witnessed this assault see Jacobs show any form of physical aggression toward Gianforte, who left the area after giving statements to local sheriff's deputies."

The witnesses and complainant were backed up by the recording that Jacobs made at the scene.  Gianforte is heard trying to deflect the question before suddenly flying into an inexplicable rage.  "Are you with the Guardian?" Gianforte screams.

"Yes!" Jacobs replies, hanging tough.  "You just broke my glasses," Jacobs replied.

Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin donated US$250 to Gianforte's campaign in March, but claims his support for the seemingly unbalanced and volatile man with questionable beliefs has nothing to do with the decision to charge him with a misdemeanor instead of felony.

"Following multiple interviews and an investigation by the Gallatin county sheriff's office it was determined there was probable cause to issue a citation to Greg Gianforte for misdemeanor assault," said Sheriff Gootkin in a statement.  "The nature of the injuries did not meet the statutory elements of felony assault.  Greg Gianforte received a citation on Wednesday night and is scheduled to appear in Gallatin county justice court between now and June 7, 2017."