Gianforte raised $116K day after assaulting reporter

Rep. Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) raised $116,000 the day after he assaulted a reporter, according to federal election filings.

The filing, reported on by The Guardian and HuffPost, shows that Gianforte raised more money on the day of the election than he did during the five days up to it in total.

One of those donations was from a top executive of a media company. Frederick Smith, the vice president and director of Sinclair Broadcasting Group, gave $1,000 to the campaign on the day of the election.

{mosads}A Sinclair spokesperson told HuffPost that “campaign contributions made by our board members are personal to them and do not reflect company policy or support.”

Sinclair is a right-leaning broadcast group. Former President Trump communications aide Boris Epshteyn joined the company as a political analyst in April.

Gianforte pleaded guilty to assault charges earlier this month after allegedly body slamming Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs to the ground, and was sentenced to community service, anger management counseling and a fine. Gianforte and Jacobs settled earlier this month, with the now-congressman donating $50,000 to a press freedom group.

Gianforte was sworn into Congress last week.