Foul-mouthed mini-Trump Republican Anthony Constantino begs president to free Diddy in unhinged tirade where he threw out a journalist

Anthony Constantino, a Republican who declared victory in a close New York congressional race, used his election night speech to urge President Donald Trump to free Sean “Diddy” Combs. He also insulted journalists and ordered one reporter to leave, drawing criticism from local Republicans. The result matters because Constantino was narrowly ahead in a district that has recently favoured Republicans by wide margins.

With more than 95 per cent of votes counted, Constantino led Democrat Blake Gendebien by 51 per cent to 49 per cent. He lent his campaign $17 million and had spent $14.7 million by mid-October; he made his fortune as chief executive of printing company Sticker Mule. Combs is serving a 50-month federal sentence after being convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution, and Trump has ruled out a pardon. Local Republican figures criticised Constantino’s conduct and campaign approach.