A viral video showed Texas Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw being hounded by alt-right reporters and appearing to intentionally trip one of them near the U.S. Capitol.
The moment was shared as part of a nearly two-minute video posted by the National File–a right-wing news blog created by Alex Jones.
The interview followed the GOP's vote to nominate Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana on Wednesday to succeed Republican Representative McCarthy as House Speaker following his ouster last week.
One of the reporters swarming Crenshaw was Noel Fritsch, a publisher from the right-wing news blog created by Alex Jones called the National File.
Fritsch was filming Crenshaw with his smartphone and appeared to be clipped by the GOP lawmaker's leg as they approached the steps on Capitol grounds.
The National File shared the footage on X (formerly Twitter) and expressed outrage over the alleged "assault."
It claimed:
"Dan Crenshaw INTENTIONALLY ASSAULTED National File publisher @NoelFritsch while @HowleyReporter was asking Dan about his support for the War Machine and Scalise's lack of votes needed to become #HouseSpeaker."
Dan Crenshaw INTENTIONALLY ASSAULTED National File publisher @NoelFritsch while @HowleyReporter was asking Dan about his support for the War Machine and Scalise's lack of votes needed to become #HouseSpeaker.— National File (@National File) 1697048500
People shared their contradictory interpretations of what happened.
Some claimed it was purely accidental while others thought Crenshaw deliberately tried to trip Fritsch.
@TheCharlesDowns @NoelFritsch @NationalFile @HowleyReporter Not very becoming of a congressman to try to trip someone going up the steps. Or anywhere for that matter.\n\nNothing will become of it though. People in power are rarely held accountable.\n\nAlso, this is an extremely minor incident so, hurumph all the way around...— Ian Bohen (@Ian Bohen) 1697050247
@TheCharlesDowns @NoelFritsch @NationalFile @HowleyReporter It was accidental, why did that guy cut in so close, personal space, and just norma interaction shows there was no malice here.— Richard McNamara (@Richard McNamara) 1697050826
@TheCharlesDowns @NoelFritsch @NationalFile @HowleyReporter Kicked him? The reporter cut in front of him.— The Great Election Heist 2020 NUCLEAR ULTRA MAGA! (@The Great Election Heist 2020 NUCLEAR ULTRA MAGA!) 1697083369
@TheCharlesDowns @InfoWars_tv @NoelFritsch @NationalFile @HowleyReporter Definitely purposeful.— DJTAlways (@DJTAlways) 1697058977
@TheCharlesDowns @NoelFritsch @NationalFile @HowleyReporter If you watch in slow motion you can see his gait changed, he made a large step and placed his foot in just the right place to trip. I bet he\u2019s done that before.— Mindy Metcalf (@Mindy Metcalf) 1697057411
@TheCharlesDowns @realchasegeiser @NoelFritsch @NationalFile @HowleyReporter I don't agree with what Crenshaw did... but from that video it looks like he tripped him.. not kicking him..— Trend Tracker (@Trend Tracker) 1697050415
@TheCharlesDowns @NoelFritsch @NationalFile @HowleyReporter That was completely intentional.— The Rover \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf21st (@The Rover \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf21st) 1697057878
@NationalFile @NoelFritsch @HowleyReporter The guy walks right in front of him and you call that assault? What a joke.— PHedgepath (@PHedgepath) 1697124494
@NationalFile @NoelFritsch @HowleyReporter Boorish behavior by a public official that either doesn't want to justify his position or is not capable of doing so. Does not arise to the level of taking any action other than being ridiculed— don gilbert (@don gilbert) 1697111924
Prior to his physical sabotage attempt, Crenshaw was asked by National File reporter Patrick Howley about Ukraine funding and how support for President Volodymrr Zelenskyy might affect the Speaker vote.
Instead of answering the question, the lawmaker denounced the online outfit as "miscreants" and told them to "get a job."
Fritsch, who was in front of Crenshaw and filming him while walking backward, told the Congressman, "America really hates you."
At one point, Crenshaw warned:
"You're not doing a good job walking backwards. You're gonna fall."
The clip ended with Hayley seeing Crenshaw extending his leg out as Fritsch tried to cross over in front of him, causing him to trip.
"Ohh, I saw that, I just witnessed it!" said Howley.
You can watch the full two-minute video here.
Check out the extended video, you can clearly see Dan Crenshaw threatening our publisher @noelfritsch as @howleyreporter and I asked him about how he is a warmonger and how Scalise does not have enough votes at this time for speaker. Clear as day!— Charles R Downs (@Charles R Downs) 1697051263
On Wednesday, Scalise won the GOP nod on a vote of 113 to 99, beating out Ohio Representative Jim Jordan–who was endorsed by former Republican President Donald Trump.
But it remains to be seen if Scalise will have enough of the required 217 votes to secure the Speakership, as support for Scalise seemed to bleed away throughout the day Thursday.
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