There appear to be two major types of response among Republicans and conservatives to the fascist assault on journalist Ben Jacobs by the now newly-elected Republican congressman Greg Gianforte in Montana. Both types of response, it should be noted, feed off the same rightwing narrative that attacks individual journalists as well as the very idea of independent journalism and a free press.
The first type of Republican/conservative response to The Gianforte Assault openly advocates for physical violence against reporters and liberals.
A typical comment on the conservative Power Line blog illustrates this straight-up fascist view:
Will we now see more GOP candidates body-slamming obnoxious liberal "reporters"?
I certainly hope so.
The second type of Republican/conservative response uses Trumpian thought and language, expressed here in a comment on Foxnews.com:
I'm sorry, violence is never the answer, but this reporter had it coming, enough is enough!
Pure self-contradiction in the statement, but serving the ultimate purpose of supporting fascist violence.
The first type of view, explicitly and unapologetically fascist, has support among a significant chunk of Republican voters. The historical ignominy still attached to fascism, however, means that some Republicans will not be seen openly endorsing this view. Hence the second, quintessentially Trumpian type of reaction, in which Republicans support fascist violence while simultaneously rhetorically distancing themselves from it.
Trump’s rule has clearly created the conditions for fascist violence to be a preferred form of politics among Republicans.
Many conservative commentators gleefully endorse and condone the attack. Most seem to have issued mealy-mouthed comments, minimizing the significance of the assault.
A very few conservatives have unequivocally condemned Gianforte’s assault. Mona Charen at NRO and writers at RedState have done so.
The fascist violence is openly being embraced by rank and file Republicans, the kind who express their views in the discussion sections attached to article on conservative websites. Looking over a number of conservative websites, the overwhelming consensus of these conservatives is that Gianforte’s violence is a model for how Republicans should behave.
Below is just a tiny sampling of conservatives and Republicans embracing the Trumpist, fascist worldview.
Comments on Allahpundit/Hotair:
A guy who'll slap a reporter around deserves office most of all.
This guy is a hero. He gave this reporter what he deserved. What they all deserve. They are the enemy of the American People. Evil incarnate. They must be destroyed root and branch.
The idea that Trump fosters this kind of thing is absurd. Violence is a Democratic thing.
Anyone who smacks a scum-sucking reporter can't be all bad. Hope he wins the election.
I would say a good reason for the guy knocking the hell out of the Dummycrat reporter is the guy was nasty,not clean, poor hygiene.
Comments on Power Line
Congressman Gary "WWE" Gianforte wins!!! He needs to body slam Maxine Waters when he gets to Washington.
The one to be prosecuted is the reporter. The reporter first assaulted Greg when he shoved the recording device in Greg's face and the second assault was when the reporter grabbed Greg's wrist when he tried to fend off the first assault.
Lefties are always so unmanly. Reporters always treat the right like crap and he got his little pajama boy a** handed to him. Ye haaaa.
More reason to vote for Gainforte - at least he is an aplha male, not a lib pajama boy.
Glad to see that "BodySlam" got the job done.
The left has been on a violent rampage for almost a year now and the only thing that is going to stop them is violence. It's all they respect.
Some folks just need a body-slamming.
I think every Thursday should be Jounalist ass thumping day.
Comments at NRO:
More reporters need to be blody slammed more often, they are all lying traitorous scumbags. I wish I lived there so I could vote for this guy.
I vote for let's start a "punch a shitlib pajama boy reporter" program at all press events.
Comments at Foxnews.com:
The reporter had it coming, next time he will stick that microphone up his own A SS before he forces it on someone else.
Reporter deserved it
Was in his space attacking him verbally
I'd like to see Pelosi get slammed next.
Hope Gianforte takes his attitude to congress in DC and becomes contagious. Congress needs to body slam more Liberal Reporters. Why? Can you say Deep State.
resist