On Monday's John Bachman Now, Newsmax foreign correspondent Chuck Holton was giving an update on the Russian invasion of Ukraine when Bachman brought up that Holton carried a Ukrainian refugee to safety near Kyiv.
"We've been seeing this video of you doing the fireman's carry of that Ukrainian refugee," Bachman said. "I know this is hard for journalists — you don't actively want to get involved in the story — but, in a situation like that, you did what you had to do."
Describing the situation as more of a relay, Holton said he was relieving the initial Good Samaritan who stopped to help.
"I wouldn't be a man if I'd just watched that guy drown in the river," Holton said. "There was actually an AP reporter who picked him up on the other side of the river and carried him across the bridge, but he was tapped out by the time he got across the bridge, so I went and took over for that guy and carried him up the hill, wishing that I hadn't done leg day this morning."
"Sometimes you do have to put your camera down and actually get involved because you can't just watch people die," he continued.
"You're supposed to be there as a journalist, a dispassionate observer, but of course you're always a human being first, and that is a very human thing to do," Bachman said. "Putting your old Ranger training to work there."
As of Tuesday morning, the video had received 2,200 likes and had been viewed 24,540 times.
"God protect and bless this wonderful journalist," Imeleta Sanileva wrote in the comments.
An account called Black Jeep Convertible praised Newsmax's hiring practices.
"Love how newsmax have so many combat vets as reporters," Black Jeep Convertible said.
Dale Jackson wrote, "Top bloke. Waiting for the SJW [Social Justice Warrior] complaints of his 'toxic masculinity.' "
While the majority of comments were positive, there were some that questioned Holton's account.
"Shameless photo op... You'll notice the cameraman didn't carry anyone across...," Joseph Hewes wrote.
"You say he was drowning? His clothes aren't even wet! I'm beginning to question the validity of what I see on Newsmax," Wayne A said.
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