Update (4:20pm CST): Donald Trump issues a response to the charge of “simple battery” against his campaign manager.
Original story continues below…
Donald Trump has published another angle of the infamous non-confrontation between his campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and former Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields, which has resulted in a charge of battery against the former.
Recently released footage of the March 8 incident from the Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida, shows the moment Lewandowski grabs Fields and moves past her.
A previous video compilation also appeared to show Lewandowski move the reporter out of the way.
Later, Fields claimed the brief encounter left her bruised.
I guess these just magically appeared on me @CLewandowski_ @realDonaldTrump. So weird. pic.twitter.com/oD8c4D7tw3
— Michelle Fields (@MichelleFields) March 10, 2016
In an article published in Breitbart following the incident, Fields stated Lewandowski’s touch nearly made her fall to the ground.
Trump acknowledged the question, but before he could answer I was jolted backwards. Someone had grabbed me tightly by the arm and yanked me down. I almost fell to the ground, but was able to maintain my balance. Nonetheless, I was shaken.
The Washington Post’s Ben Terris immediately remarked that it was Trump’s campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, who aggressively tried to pull me to the ground. I quickly turned around and saw Lewandowski and Trump exiting the building together. No apology. No explanation for why he did this.
Even if Trump was done taking questions, Lewandowski would be out of line. Campaign managers aren’t supposed to try to forcefully throw reporters to the ground, no matter the circumstance.
Trump today defended his campaign manager and responded that the video does not corroborate Fields’ testimony:
Wow, Corey Lewandowski, my campaign manager and a very decent man, was just charged with assaulting a reporter. Look at tapes-nothing there!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2016
Why aren't people looking at this reporters earliest statement as to what happened, that is before she found out the episode was on tape?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2016
Following Lewandowski’s charge, Trump released a still image accusing Fields of grabbing him.
Victory press conference was over.
Why is she allowed to grab me and shout questions? Can I press charges? pic.twitter.com/qbW2RjkINX— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2016
Trump also continued to accuse Fields of altering her statements after she found out the billionaire had footage:
This was the reporters statement- when she found out there was tape from my facility, she changed her tune. pic.twitter.com/N5815RS1At
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2016
Fields claimed the video substantiates her report:
Because my story never changed. Seriously, just stop lying. https://t.co/1fz9cBHOuT
— Michelle Fields (@MichelleFields) March 29, 2016
Commenters on Youtube were baffled by what the video was supposed to show, with many asserting it failed to demonstrate the “battery” Lewandowski was charged with.
“I missed the part where Lewandowski violently grabbed Fields and nearly threw her to the ground. Did they post the wrong video?” one person said.
“Reported to YouTube for too much violence in the video,” another person joked.
“I have more battery getting a burrito at Chipotle,” Youtube commenter Il Scungilli wrote. “What the Fuck Michelle. Perhaps you should stay indoors.”
Lewandowski turned himself in to the Jupiter Police Department today, and was released with a motion to appear at court at a further date, according to the Palm Beach Post.
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