When Advertisers Are Convinced to Exit a Host’s Show, It’s Only a Matter of Time Before the Host Does Too
Sean Hannity has mercilessly been pursuing a fake news story with very real victims, and now some are wondering if it will be the end of his show at Fox News. Last year’s tragic murder of Seth Rich, a 27-year old Democratic National Committee staffer who police say was killed during a robbery gone bad has been the fuel of yet another alt-right conspiracy theory, like PizzaGate, that just won’t quit.
Hannity has been leading the pack, pushing the false tale that Rich leaked the DNC emails to Wikileaks, despite a shred of actual proof.Â
Seth Rich’s family have repeatedly urged Hannity, Fox News, and others to stop destroying the memory of their son and sibling. Earlier this month Fox News published a wholly disreputable story that was so bad even by Fox News’ standards they retracted it – after being sent a letter from the Rich family’s attorney.
Hannity appeared ready to refuse to stop covering the story on his 10 PM Fox News show, but he acquiesced this week after, he says, he spoke with his attorneys.
While all this has been happening, Hannity has been losing advertisers in response to his use and abuse of the memory of a murdered young man to stir up his base and make money, especially on his radio show that is not controlled by Fox News.
As of now, seven advertisers have fled Hannity’s nightly Fox News show, and there’s no reason to think it will end there. Hannity has promised to drop the story for now, but also promised to continue to “investigate.”
ThinkProgress’ Judd Legum reports these advertisers have left Hannity’s show: Cars.com, Peloton, Leesa Sleep, Casper,  USAA, Ring and Crowne Plaza Hotels.
If this all sounds vaguely familiar, it should. It’s the same pattern that preceded Bill O’Reilly’s unceremonious exit from Fox News.
And now this: Hannity Wednesday night on his show announced he is leaving for vacation, or, at least, taking the rest of the week off. His tweet did not sit well with many:
This week Hannity, in response to advertisers leaving, went on a Twitter tirade, accusing the progressive advocacy group Media Matters of “liberal fascism,” trying to “silence” him, and get him fired.
Hannity was a strong supporter of Roger Ailes, and of Bill O’Reilly. He is in some respects the last vestige of that poisonous clan, although the misogynistic culture Ailes cultivated reportedly persists.
If enough advertisers flee, will Hannity be forced out?
Time will tell, but as activists have learned, when advertisers are convinced to exit a host’s show, it’s only a matter of time before the host does too.
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