STEVE DOOCY (CO-HOST): Geraldo, we watched your comments about the Montana Republican congressional candidate, Greg Gianforte. Who, it was revealed yesterday, body-slammed a reporter, and then, last night, to the shock of many, he wound up winning the election.

GERALDO RIVERA: Well the victory was not unexpected in the sense that it's a heavily-red district there in Montana. Also the people of Montana, and you know I've had my share of physical altercations, they are no strangers to the more robust way of living. The incident itself I think was gigantically overblown. It just seems to me -- that first of all, if someone pushes me, I push them back, I don't hold a press conference. And there was an excessive amount of whining and a woe is me.

Previously:

On ABC, Guardian reporter recounts how GOP candidate assaulted him​

Right-wing media jump to defend Montana candidate after he assaults a reporter

Journalism advocates are “horrified” by GOP candidate’s assault on reporter