Sen. Rand Paul in a pair of tweets questioned a news report that claims a turf war led his neighbor to tackle him outside his Kentucky home in an attack that left the GOP lawmaker with six broken ribs.
Paul posted on Twitter on Wednesday linking to reports in the Washington Examiner and on Breitbart that included comments from his Bowling Green neighbors dismissing accounts that the assault was prompted by grass clippings and branches.
The two media outlets said his neighbors blasted the “landscaping dispute” and considered it “fake news.”
The Washington Examiner reported that seven neighbors called the attack “scary” but rejected claims that it was prompted by poor landscaping. They told the newspaper they’re still puzzled about what happened.
Residents of Paul’s gated community told Breitbart the landscaping claims were “erroneous and unfounded.”
The Louisville Courier quoted Jim Skaggs, developer of the community where Paul and alleged assailant Rene Boucher live, saying bad blood had been festering for years between the two and finally exploded because of misplaced lawn trimmings.
Police say the 59-year-old Boucher, blindsided Paul as the senator was mowing his lawn last Friday.
Boucher was charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and released on bail last Saturday.
During a court appearance Thursday, Boucher pleaded not guilty.
He and Paul have not said what led to the attack.
But Boucher’s lawyer, Matthew Baker, chalked the altercation up to a “trivial” dispute between neighbors.
“The unfortunate occurrence of November 3rd has absolutely nothing to do with either’s politics or political agendas,” Baker posted on Twitter on Monday. “It was a very regrettable dispute between two neighbors over a matter that most people would regard as trivial.”
Earlier Wednesday, Paul thanked people for their concern and updated his condition.
“I appreciate all of the support from everyone. A medical update: final report indicates six broken ribs & new X-ray shows a pleural effusion,” he posted, referring to a buildup of excess fluid between his lungs and chest.